Juneteenth activist Opal Lee to lead Fort Worth’s holiday parade

November 19,2021

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See full Fox 4 News article by Fox 4 Staff here.

The woman known as the grandmother of Juneteenth will lead Fort Worth’s Parade of Lights on Sunday.

Opal Lee will serve as the grand marshal of the holiday parade.

It starts at 6 p.m. and goes around Sundance Square.

Lee, who is now 95 years old, accomplished her life-long goal this year. Thanks in part to her activism, Juneteenth is a federal holiday.

It marks the day slaves in Texas learned they were free after the Civil War.

Lee said she’s excited to be part of the parade.

"As the grandmother of Juneteenth, I’m delighted. I’ve watched the parade over the years when I was a little one. Now as to be a part of the Parade of Lights, why I’m ecstatic," she said.

The parade is in its 39th year and features more than 100 illuminated floats on more than a 2-mile parade route.