Music and dance will be the centerpiece of William & Mary’s fifth annual Juneteenth celebration. And instead of being mere spectators, this year’s attendees will have the opportunity to “kick up some dust” to the hottest song and line dance of the year, “Boots on the Ground” by 803Fresh​.

The celebration will be held June 18 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., in the Sadler Center’s Chesapeake and Tidewater rooms. The event is free and open to both the campus community and the public. People interested in attending should RSVP online. Parking will be available in the Zable Stadium parking lot. There will be a variety of local vendors and food options for attendees to enjoy throughout the afternoon. T-shirts will be on sale for $16.

“We were looking for something a little different to mark our fifth year. There’s so much power and joy in dancing together as a community, and line dancing is something that people of any age group and ability can do, so even first-timers can have fun,” said Chon Glover, chief diversity officer and co-chair of W&M’s Juneteenth Committee. “Every year, we are proud to partner with the Williamsburg Community Consortium for Juneteenth educational and cultural activities and fellowship, and we try to find a way to complement other events. On Juneteenth, we should honor the past, celebrate our present together and work towards the future.”

The band 5Starr will perform a set in addition to playing for the line dance. Based in Chesapeake, Virginia, 5Starr has a national reputation, having shared the stage with icons such as Chaka Khan and Who’s Bad (The Michael Jackson Tribute Band). The 5Starr sound is curated by lead vocalist Chris Whitaker, Curdarius Swain on drums, Phil Burford on lead guitar, Antwan Shepherd on keys and Robert Wilkins on bass guitar. While each individual is an accomplished musician in his own right, the band’s cohesiveness has spawned a unique sound, offering an exceptional experience for audiences everywhere.

Leading the line dance — and instructing the audience — will be Kelsea Mangrum, head coach and trainer at Keeping up with Kels. Kelsea has more than 11 years of experience helping individuals meet their wellness goals. She started her fitness journey in the United States Marine Corps and continued it after discharging from the service. She specializes in HIIT training, powerlifting, Zumba, strength and endurance training.

Juneteenth is observed nationally on June 19 to commemorate the day in 1865 on which enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, received word of their freedom — two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued. It became an official Virginia state holiday in 2020 and a federal holiday in 2021. William & Mary hosted its first virtual Juneteenth celebration in 2021 and its first in-person event the following year.

Belonging is among William & Mary’s core values, and the university strives to create a welcoming community that embraces diverse peoples and perspectives. In addition, democracy is one of the four core initiatives of the university’s Vision 2026 strategic plan, and part of its aim is to help tell the nation’s full history.

This year’s event is one of a number taking place in the Greater Williamsburg area in June, all coordinated through the Juneteenth Community Consortium. W&M’s Juneteenth event is coordinated annually by a committee that includes representatives from the university and community.

More information is available on the W&M Juneteenth website.