WARSAW — Juneteenth, which celebrates the freedom of slaves in the United States, will be held Wednesday night, June 19, at the Kosciusko County Fairgrounds.

The event is organized by the law office of Warsaw attorney Travis McConnell and will be from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Shrine Building.

Slaves were officially emancipated on June 19, 1865. In other cities, the event is known as Freedom Day.

The community event will feature cornbread, barbecue chicken, collard greens, rice and beans, as well as pound cake. Cornbread and collard greens will have vegetarian options and the rice and beans will be vegetarian, McConnell said.

There is no admission to the gathering, but the charge for food will be $5, he said.

There will be an art display, a DJ and a rap performance by Flow Storm.

Among those expected to attend are State Sen. Eddie Melton of Gary, and Joe Banks, a Warsaw man who helped start the annual celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. in Kosciusko County. Banks is expected to speak.

“There were a couple of members of the community who reached out to me about doing some more events for all members of the community,” McConnell said. “It sounded like a good thing to do.”

McConnell is also a driving force behind One Warsaw — Celebrating Us, which will have a festival later this year that celebrates diversity. One Warsaw is publicizing the event on its Facebook page, but not directly involved.