The Panola County Juneteenth Festival committee has announced the COVID-19 crisis has forced the cancellation of this year’s event.

Organizers have decided to focus on the 2021 event, and are planning to make the next Juneteenth Festival one of the best ever.

There is no 2021 date officially set, but it will be sometime mid-June and will again be held in downtown Sardis.

The community event features free food from merchant vendors, children’s activities, musical entertainment, health and educational exhibits.

Anyone interested in making contributions to the event, or making application to be a vendor, should contact the Junteenth Festival committee by accessing the group’s Facebook page.