LUFKIN, Texas (KTRE) - Nearly 1,000 people gathered at Jones Park on Thursday to celebrate Juneteenth, marking the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in Texas more than 160 years ago.

The celebration began with a parade and continued with vendors, games and food throughout the park.

Barbra Thompson attended representing Lufkin Pro-Day, an organization that uplifts athletes from Lufkin, has them speak to the community and provides scholarships."It's important to me to see so many people come together and celebrate Juneteenth because sometimes people forget about it. And this is the reason that we all come together, to make sure that we do not ever forget about it," one attendee said.