The annual Juneteenth festival hosted by the Katy African American Heritage Society kicked off with a parade down Danover Street to Woodsland Park on June 20, featuring members of area churches, fraternities and sororities, as well as politicians -- and many beautiful Corvettes. The City of Katy was represented in the parade by a high-water rescue vehicle carrying Mayor Dusty Thiele and councilmembers Paula Taylor, Michael Meihls and Paul Follis. Thiele officially opened the event with welcoming remarks and was followed by a number of political hopefuls who urged attendees to get out and vote. The event featured a number of local vendors offering food, drink and resources.