TIFTON, Ga. — A Juneteenth celebration banquet will take place later this month on July 27 at the Tifton Welcome Station. The actual holiday was June 19, but Dee and Doc Melton Sr. Cultural Visions couldn’t find a proper venue until recently.

“This holiday means freedom for everyone,” said Ruenette Melton from Dee and Doc Melton Sr. Cultural Visions.

Melton is the daughter of Doc Melton, the first African American to run for office in Tift County when he ran for election to be a county commissioner, she said. She and her brother decided to name their company after their parents to continue the legacy.

Dee and Doc Melton Sr. Cultural Visions is owned by Melton. This is the first year she has had to run the company by herself without her brother James Washington. Washington died and, according to Melton, he was critical to the planning process of their Juneteenth celebration banquet in the past.

The theme for this year’s banquet will be “Powerful women of God,” and the keynote speaker will be Linda Wright, a pastor from Americus, Georgia.

“Linda Wright is a very powerful woman of God,” said Melton. “Her message is we don’t have to walk behind your man like the old saying goes. She preaches to women to walk beside her man.”

The banquet will feature gospel, choir, praise dancers, and will honor 2019 humanitarians. Honored humanitarians will receive rewards and a certificate of appreciation.

If there is somebody in the community that is doing wonderful humanitarian work that should be recognized, Melton is looking for more honorees.  Contact Melton to let her know who should get recognized.

There is a limited amount of tickets for the banquet. The cost of each ticket is $20 and they are running out fast according to Melton. Currently more than 50 tickets have been sold already.

Melton is accepting food or money donations to make this year’s banquet special.

The address for the Tifton Welcome Station is 504 Main St S, Tifton, GA 31794. You can purchase tickets through Melton by contacting her at 229-392-1979.