The Du Bois Center’s program, “Juneteenth Celebration: Ending Slavery,” or Freedom Day opens the Lift Ev’ry Voice Festival on Saturday, June 15, 11 am – 4 pm, at the Du Bois Center at Great Barrington. The festival is a month-long celebration of African-American culture and heritage in the Berkshires. The all-day program will feature a variety of Civil War-related events, including music and dance performances, historical reenactments, speeches, recitals, book and memorabilia sales, and displays of original artifacts, including an original sketch of Robert E. Lee surrendering to Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Courthouse in 1865.

Highlights include the legendary band Magpie performing Civil War songs; Pittsfield’s Youth Alive Step Team and Drum Corps executing dazzling routines; actor Steve Trimm exploring General Ulysses S. Grant’s role in ending slavery; historian David Levinson discussing the contribution of Berkshire soldiers in the famed 54th Massachusetts Regiment; reenactor and artist Clifford Oliver Mealy portraying the life of a slave; writer and human rights activist Scott Christianson addressing the struggle to end slavery today; and other musicians, poets, and activists sharing in our day of commemoration, reflection, and celebration. $10 suggested admission.

For more information, please contact Randy F. Weinstein at the Du Bois Center; 1-413-644-9595; duboiscenter@gmail.com;www.duboiscentergb.org.