Dance and choir performances of African American spiritual music, storytelling of African American folktales and a handful of children’s activities highlight Saturday’s Juneteenth Freedom Celebration.

The event, which runs from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. in Phoenix Park, commemorates the release of approximately four million people of African descent from the bonds of slavery at the end of the Civil War.

Park ranger Theresa Hall, who works with the Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail’s Selma Interpretive Center, the group hosting the event, said Juneteenth is a celebration, much like Americans’ July Fourth, except it’s a celebration of emancipation. It began in Galveston, Texas, the last place that was notified that the slaves were free, and that was in 1868, she said.

“It’s all about the unity as a community,” Hall said. “We’re trying to bring the community together here, and the children. There’s going to be things for everybody, but we’re gearing most of the activities towards children to try to get them out of house and out here to learn a little history.”

Children who attend the event can participate in face painting freedom symbols, learning to Double Dutch jump rope, making freedom bracelets and Nettie Dolls and more.

The event will feature the Hayiya Theatre Company dance ensemble, performing at 10:30 and 11:30 a.m.

Hall said she hoped a couple hundred people would turnout to Saturday’s event, which is free and open to the public.

“I hope [attendees] feel more pride in their heritage, and I hope people begin to realize that, as a community, if we work together we’ll get a lot more accomplished than if we’re working against each other,” she said.

Although other organizations have hosted Juneteenth celebrations in the past, Hall said the Interpretive Center is hosting Saturday’s gathering for the first time, adding that she hopes to make the celebration an annual event.

“I just hope that as many people as possible come out, and that people bring their kids,” she said. “It’ll be a really good thing for them to do to get out. We’re are looking forward to Saturday.”