On Sunday, June 19, Americans will gather to celebrate Juneteenth, the holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the U.S.
More than 150 years ago in 1865, Union soldiers led by Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas. The troops brought the news that the American Civil War had ended and enslaved people were now free.
What's Juneteenth? Everything to know about holiday celebrating end of slavery in the US
Juneteenth has grown in the years since. The holiday is now celebrated across the country with backyard barbeques, parades, festivals and more.
”Juneteenth today, celebrates African American freedom and achievement, while encouraging continuous self-development and respect for all cultures,” according to the holiday’s website.
Cincinnati news:Cincinnati Public Schools recognizes Juneteenth as official holiday
Hoping to celebrate the holiday this year in Cincinnati? We've got you covered. Here's a roundup of Juneteenth events across the Queen City:
JUNE 13
Juneteenth flag raising ceremonies
The nonprofit organization Juneteenth Cincinnati is working in collaboration with the Cincinnati Art Museum, Hamilton County Courthouse and Cincinnati City Hall to organize flag raising ceremonies across the Queen City in honor of the holiday.
The flag ceremonies will be held June 13-17.
Urban Consulate Juneteenth nanofestival
Urban Consulate will host a nanofestival celebrating the power of Black joy, liberation and expression at the Mercantile Library June 13.
The evening will feature:
- A conversation with Nikki Giovanni – a poet, writer, educator, activist and voice of the Black Arts Movement – moderated by Naimah Bilal.
- Film Screening and Dialogue with Gee Horton and Shay Nartker.
- Spoken Word by Cincinnati Poet Laureate, Yalie Saweda Kamara.
- Music by DJ Arie.
6:30 p.m., 414 Walnut St., 11th story, Downtown.
JUNE 15
Black Family Picnic and Movie Night
Join Queens Village and Culture + Collabs for a special Juneteenth family picnic and movie night on June 15. The picnic will feature food truck vendors and will be followed by an outdoor showing of "Cooklyn."
6-10 p.m., Washington Park, 1230 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine.
JUNE 17
Juneteenth Kickoff Party
Findlay Market will kick off three days of Juneteenth celebrations on June 17 with a party at Jane’s, the market's outdoor bar. The event will feature live music and drinks.
6-9 p.m., 1801 Race St., Over-the-Rhine.
Juneteenth Jazz in the Park
Celebrate Juneteenth with a jazz music event in Victory Park on June 17. The free event features music by Sound the Alarm.
6-8 p.m., Victory Park, Montgomery Road at Mills St., Norwood.
Springboro Juneteenth Jubilee
The second annual Springboro Juneteenth Jubilee returns on June 17 and runs through June 18. Celebrate at seven unique venues across the city.
Highlights include live music, local vendors, food trucks, giveaways, Underground Railroad tours, a 3-on-3 basketball tournament, community bicycle ride and an interactive exhibit.
springborojuneteenth.com, Springboro, Ohio.
JUNE 18
Juneteenth Festival in Eden Park
Cincinnati's 35th Annual Juneteenth Festival will return to Eden Park on June 18. The free event features two stages of live music, supervised children's play area, shopping, art, history reenactments, health screenings, food and plenty of family fun.
12-9 p.m., 950 Eden Park Drive, Mount Adams.
Juneteenth Parade in Middletown
Middletown's first Juneteenth Parade on June 18 will travel through downtown toward Verity Parkway and ends at Lafayette Ave. A festival will follow at Douglass Park with no-cost carnival rides for kids, live entertainment, vendors, food trucks, fireworks and family fun.
9-11:30 a.m., Main St., Middletown.
Second annual Juneteenth Craft Festival
Esoteric Brewing and Cincinnati Music Accelerator are partnering for the annual Juneteenth Craft Festival on June 18. The outdoor festival will feature live music, craft beer, art, food trucks, street vendors and a kids zone.
2-7 p.m., 918 E. McMillan St., Walnut Hills.
Young Black Genius Juneteenth Block Party
The free block party will celebrate Juneteenth on June 18 in Ziegler Park with food trucks, vendors, live performances and music, speakers, live demonstrations and games. The Cincinnati Young Entrepreneurs Market will offer jobs, sports and leadership opportunities as well.
2-6 p.m., Ziegler Park, 1322 Sycamore St., Pendleton.
Flag Raising & Resolution
Norwood will host a free flag raising ceremony featuring speakers and a choir performance on June 18.
10 a.m., Norwood City Hall, 4645 Montgomery Road.
Juneteenth Panel Discussion
Findlay Market and Black is Excellence partnered for a free ticketed panel discussion on June 18 at the Columns led by Kai Stoudemire-Williams, the founder of Black is Excellence. The panel will feature community leaders and business owners to discuss the history and importance of the holiday. Live jazz music by the Ron Jones Quintet will follow at Jane’s in Finday Market.
11 a.m.-noon, 109 W. Elder St., Over-the-Rhine.
157th Juneteenth Independence Day
Celebrate the holiday along with the Northern Kentucky Community Action Commission and St. Elizabeth Heathcare. Full day of activities includes free health screenings (breast cancer, colon cancer, lung cancer, diabetes and blood pressure), free food from Dada Smokes, Kona Ice and more. Free and open to the public. Preregistration required for health screenings. Email tracy.stokes@stelizabeth.com.
11 a.m.-4 p.m., Lincoln Grant Scholar House, 834 Greenup St., Covington
Juneteenth Pool Party
Make a splash at Norwood Waterworks on June 18 with music from DJ Stank.
5-8 p.m., 2701 Harris Ave., Norwood.
Juneteenth Evening at the Museum
Commemorate Juneteenth with poetic performances of self-expression by local artists and poets on ideas of liberty, freedom, equality and justice at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center on June 17.
7-9 p.m., 50 E. Freedom Way, Downtown.
Paint & Sip, Juneteenth Edition
Enjoy a guided painting project with a Juneteenth-inspired soundtrack. Includes wine (ages 21-up) and refreshments. Register for $40 at paintwithcolor.com
1-3 p.m., Norwood Recreation Center, 2039 Sherman Ave.
Juneteenth Celebration in Covington, Kentucky
The Northern Kentucky Community Action Commission is partnering with St. Elizabeth Healthcare to celebrate Juneteenth with live music, tournaments, free health screenings, performers and vendors. Free food will be available from Dada Smokes and Kona Ice.
11 a.m.-4 p.m., Lincoln Grant Scholar House, 834 Greenup St., Covington.
MLK Family Fun Days
Join Cincinnati Parks and the Cincinnati Parks Foundation for MLK Family Fun Days, a celebration of Juneteenth. The event features inflatables, yard games, face painters, balloon artists, live music by the Positive Vibe Band, food trucks and more.
2-6 p.m., Martin Luther King Jr. Park, 3740 Reading Rd.
JUNE 19
Juneteenth Tasting Event
Findlay Market will host a ticketed tasting event featuring Black-owned businesses on June 19. Tickets are redeemable for small bites and 100% of ticket proceeds go back to participating businesses.
10 a.m.-4 p.m., Findlay Market, 1801 Race St., Over-the-Rhine.
Bad Girl Brunch
Bad Girl Brunch – a networking event focused on supporting women business owners, creatives, models, artists and stylists – returns to celebrate Juneteenth at the Porch. Support local vendors at the event with pop-up shops and food trucks.
2-6 p.m., The Porch at Washington Park, 1230 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine.
June Fest: A Father's Day Concert
The June Fest Father’s Day Concert returns to Seasongood Pavilion in Eden Park on June 19. The concert presents a variety of music and dancing.
2-6 p.m., Seasongood Pavilion, 950 Eden Park Drive, Mount Adams.
Free museum admission on Juneteenth
Receive free admission to the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center on June 19 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
The museum has a variety of events planned, including:
- Artist Brent Billingsley will lead a chalk community art project outside from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- A variety of activities and information stations inside will include a mini lecture on the history and legacy of Juneteenth at 12:30 p.m., dramatic readings and story time at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
- A performance by the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra’s MAC Music Innovator Program featuring the Mark Lomax Quartet at 2 p.m.
50 Freedom Way, Downtown; freedomcenter.org.
JUNE 20
Juneteenth Parade, Downtown
The Juneteenth Parade in downtown Cincinnati – featuring bands, clowns, dignitaries as well as step and drill teams – will take place on June 20.
juneteenthcincinnati.org, Downtown.
Juneteenth at Rhinegeist
Rhinegeist Brewery will hold a Juneteenth commemoration June 20 at its taproom in Cincinnati. Christopher Miller, the Director of Education from the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, will discuss the history and significance of the holiday.
4-6 p.m., 1910 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine.
Did we miss any events? Email kmbrown@gannett.com and we'll get it added to the list!
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