Fort Worth is honoring Juneteenth today with its annual Freedom Walk - a 2.5‑mile trek beginning at 9 a.m. at Farrington Field that symbolizes the 2½ years it took for news of emancipation to reach Texas enslaved people.
Though 98‑year‑old Opal Lee - known as the “Grandmother of Juneteenth” - won’t be walking due to a recent hospitalization, her granddaughter Dione Sims will lead the crowd in her place, reinforcing Lee’s message that “freedom is for everyone.”
This year’s walk kicks off in Fort Worth’s Cultural District and follows a scenic route past the Botanic Garden, Dickie’s Arena, the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, the Kimbell Art Museum and Casa Mañana.
Organizers are offering shuttle buses for seniors and those with mobility challenges, and NBC 5 and Telemundo 39 are providing live coverage beginning at 9 a.m.
Lee’s impact extends far beyond today’s walk. In 2021, her efforts led to Juneteenth becoming a federal holiday, and she’s now working with her family to prepare the walk’s expansion to all 50 states by 2026 - coinciding with her 100th birthday and America's 250th anniversary.
After completing the walk, participants are invited to a community celebration featuring live music, food vendors and Juneteenth educational booths. The event highlights both solemn remembrance and communal pride - and a reminder that Fort Worth remains at the heart of the national effort toward racial equity and unity.
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