Jeghetto’s Puppet Invasion to Headline Memphis Juneteenth Douglass Freedom Festival

Broadway + NYC

Broadway

Off-Broadway

Off-Off Broadway

Cabaret

Dance

Opera

Classical Music

Eastern

Central

Western

West End

WEST END

UK Regional

International

Canada

Australia / New Zealand

Europe

Asia

Latin America

Africa / Middle East

Entertainment

TV/Movies

Music

Ctrl + K to open · Esc to close

Jeghetto's large-scale puppetry experience comes to Douglass Park for the festival's Youth Day.

POPULAR

Get all the top news & discounts for Memphis & beyond.

The 33rd Annual Juneteenth Douglass Freedom Festival will welcome nationally acclaimed puppeteer, educator, and creative innovator Tarish “Jeghetto” Pipkin back to Memphis for a powerful three-day celebration honoring Black freedom, Black joy, civic engagement, and the enduring legacy of Black farmers.

Get all the top news & discounts for Memphis & beyond.

Festival events will take place June 18–20, 2026 at historic Douglass Park - 3299 Omar Robinson Street 381033299 Omar Robinson St

On Youth Day, June 18 at noon, young people and families will experience Jeghetto's Puppet Invasion, an interactive puppet flash mob featuring a giant Juneteenth puppet created especially for the festival alongside puppets created by youth from 11 community centers across Memphis.

Following the surprise procession through Douglass Park, youth will gather for a live puppet performance celebrating imagination, freedom, community, and Black joy. Jeghetto will also appear throughout the day, bringing his signature Hip Hop–infused puppetry and audience participation to one of Memphis's longest-running Juneteenth celebrations.

On June 19, the festival will host the Rally for Representation beginning at noon, launching with a giant farmer puppet co-created during Jeghetto's residency in the Douglass neighborhood with local residents and youth. The puppet stands as a symbol of community power, resilience, self-determination, and the ongoing fight to ensure that all voices are represented and heard.

As part of the Juneteenth Douglass Freedom Festival, community leaders, elected officials, advocates, artists, and candidates will gather for a community-centered rally focused on civic engagement, democratic participation, and the protection of voting rights.

“Juneteenth is more than a celebration of freedom—it's an opportunity to remember the people whose labor, courage, and determination built our communities,” said Kathy Temple, Producer of the Juneteenth Douglass Freedom Festival. “This year we are especially proud to honor Black farmers, whose contributions have too often been overlooked despite their essential role in feeding families, preserving land, and sustaining generations. Through our festival, we celebrate not only our history but our collective responsibility to protect freedom, representation, and opportunity for future generations.”

The Rally for Representation will feature speakers including:

State Representative Justin J. Pearson (Saturday)

Gabby Salinas, State Representative

Michalyn Easter-Thomas, Memphis City Council

Shelby County Commissioner Henri Brooks

Tim Williams, Always Giving Back Memphis

Rachel Spriggs, The Equity Alliance

Tameka Greer, Memphis Artists for Change

Ian Randolph, Chair, Political Action Committee, NAACP & Shelby County Voter Alliance

The rally invites residents, families, artists, and community advocates to come together in celebration of Juneteenth while engaging in meaningful action around representation, civic participation, and the future of Memphis communities.

On June 20, the festival concludes with a full day of remembrance, culture, and celebration at Douglass Park.

The day begins with the soulful sounds of Empress Joyce, and follows with local 901 artists B-Radical & RLove, Dee Jizzle, Faith PQ, Preacher Man, and many more!

Throughout the day, the festival will bring together families and community members in fellowship, reflection, and celebration of Black cultural traditions and resilience.

The grand finale culminates with a special tribute to local artists, culture bearers, and community leaders before Douglass's own UTURN Band, featuring Bobby Wayne, Kenny J., Chris McDaniels, and Gary Taylor , takes the Mobile Shell stage at 6:00 PM. Their signature blend of smooth R&B, jazz, and blues will close out the festival in true Memphis fashion—bringing the community together in a joyful celebration of freedom, heritage, Black excellence, and the artistic spirit of the city.

A nationally recognized artist, Tarish “Jeghetto” Pipkin has earned acclaim for transforming recycled materials into larger-than-life puppets that inspire wonder while advancing creativity, education, and environmental stewardship. His work has been featured at festivals, museums, schools, libraries, and cultural institutions across the country, earning national recognition for innovation in arts education and community engagement.

This year marks Jeghetto's fifth visit to Memphis in the last three years. Through ongoing collaborations with local artists, schools, libraries, and community organizations, he has built a deep connection to the city and is widely known for his love of Memphis's creativity, culture, and community spirit.

The 2026 Juneteenth Douglass Freedom Festival pays tribute to generations of Black farmers whose labor, land stewardship, innovation, and resilience sustained families and communities despite systemic barriers. Through art, music, civic engagement, and community gathering, the festival honors the vital role Black farmers have played in shaping Southern culture and preserving traditions of self-determination and collective care.

June 18 – Youth Day & Puppet Invasion | 10:00 AM June 19 – Rally for Representation & Festival Programming | 12:00 PM Freedom Market begins at 9AM June 20 – Community Celebration & Grand Finale | 12:00, stage starts at 3PM

Location: Douglass Park, Memphis, Tennessee Admission & Parking: Free and Open to the Public

Get an Alert Each Time A.A. Cristi Writes

Videos

Memphis SHOWS

Recommended For You

Sign up for announcements, and exclusive discounts on tickets to your favorite shows!

© 2026 - Copyright Wisdom Digital Media , all rights reserved. Privacy Policy

_Originally reported by [BroadwayWorld](https://www.broadwayworld.com/memphis/article/PUPPET-INVASION-to-Headline-Juneteenth-Douglass-Freedom-Festival-20260612)._