Our History

The Juneteenth BBQ Cook-Off began in 1994, thanks to the vision and leadership of Hays County Constable David Peterson, who believed San Marcos needed a space where community, culture, and history could be celebrated as one. What started as a local cook-off has grown into a powerful annual tradition, bringing people together with food, fellowship, and purpose for over three decades.

In 2012, that grassroots vision was formalized with the creation of Juneteenth Foundation Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in San Marcos, Texas. The Foundation was created to give structure and long-term sustainability to the event, ensuring that proceeds from the cook-off and other fundraisers would directly support scholarships for local students and initiatives that strengthen our community.

Our Mission

Juneteenth Foundation Inc. exists to promote awareness of Juneteenth, preserve the cultural contributions of African Americans in Central Texas, and uplift the next generation through education and opportunity.

The Foundation was established years before Juneteenth became a federally recognized holiday in 2021. For decades, we have worked to share the meaning of Juneteenth with others, playing our part in spreading awareness before it became nationally known. That work has led to meaningful recognition here at home, as both Hays County and the City of San Marcos now officially proclaim the entire month of June as Juneteenth Month—an effort the Foundation helped lead.

What is Juneteenth?

Juneteenth, celebrated each year on June 19, commemorates the day in 1865 when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation and declare freedom for the last remaining enslaved people in the United States—more than two years after the proclamation had been signed.

The day has since become a powerful symbol of freedom delayed but not denied, and represents the resilience, hope, and enduring contributions of Black Americans to our shared history.