Juneteenth Celebrations in Sacramento
By djsheryl on June 15, 2022
This Sunday, June 19th, is Juneteenth. Not only is Juneteenth the newest US holiday, it is the “longest-running African-American holiday,” and it recognizes June 19, 1865, as the date that news of slavery’s end reached slaves in Texas and other states in the southwest…formalizing their emancipation after the end of the Civil War a month earlier.
Though Juneteenth is being formally observed on Monday, June 20…there are a lot of community events this week to observe and celebrate Juneteenth.
There’s a big Juneteenth Celebration this Friday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Haggin Community Park. This event includes a Black-owned marketplace, local musical guests, dance teams, and spoken word poets. Attendees are encouraged to come early for dinner, while supplies last. Guests are invited to bring a chair, a blanket and hangout in the park. There will be a chance to win a $100 gift card. It’s free, but you need to RSVP here.
Another Juneteenth Celebration is happening Friday evening from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the William Land Park Ampitheater. The “Gospel Under the Stars” Concert will feature performances by Sacramento gospel artists, James Jackson, Yardley Griffin, Charlotte Washington, and I Sound Healing Celebration. The concert will also include many Sacramento church choirs. It’s free.
The Sacramento Juneteenth Festival continues this Saturday in Land Park From 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. There’s a fun run…the Juneteenth Mile will consist of a one-mile run or walk event in partnership with Black Men Run starting at 9 a.m. The festivities on Saturday will include the Juneteenth Parade where over 20 organizations are scheduled to participate. There will also be a Juneteenth Talent Show and the Juneteenth Community Soldier Awards will be presented to members of the community who are making a difference.
Also Saturday….Oak Park’s Juneteenth Block Party at 40 Acres is a free, family-friendly event. Third Avenue and 35th Street will be closed to traffic for the neighborhood block party. Event goers are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs to enjoy a lineup of music, art and entertainment. There will be local Black-owned vendors offering food and other items. This year’s event is headlined by two groups, ‘The Return of James Brown’ Band and The Curtis Family, a band recently featured on America’s Got Talent. RSVP here
On Sunday, the California State Capitol Juneteenth Freedom Extravaganza will happen on the state capitol steps. Residents are invited to come out and learn about the Juneteenth holiday and California history in relation to enslavement where nearly 2,000 Black and African-American troops fought to end chattel slavery in California and the United States. This event is free and no RSVP is necessary
