Juneteenth is June 19, and here is how people can celebrate.
But first, what is Juneteenth?
In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, outlawing slavery across states not under Union control. However, enslaved people were not allowed to exercise their freedom until June 19, 1865, when Union General Gordon Granger led almost 2,000 Union troops into Galveston Bay to announce the freedom of more than 250,000 enslaved Black people by executive decree, according to the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Now a federal holiday since 2021, Juneteenth celebrates the freedom of enslaved people on a national scale.
“Juneteenth is more than a holiday. It’s a testament to resilience, freedom and the strength of people who never gave up,” said Nikia Washington, program officer at Rochester Area Community Foundation.
Juneteenth celebrations
Finger Lakes Opera Juneteenth Program
This annual event kicks off Finger Lakes Opera’s Summer Festival. The program will feature black opera singers as their song choices highlight the joy, resilience and journey towards freedom, justice and equality for all. The program is free to the public, but requires registration.
To register, visit https://ci.ovationtix.com/37035/production/1270692?performanceId=11788809.
Event information:
June 18 at 7 p.m.
New Bethel CME Church, 270 Scio St., Rochester
Juneteenth Flag Raising Ceremony
The town of Greece is going to host its first annual flag raising ceremony to celebrate freedom, unity and community — recognizing Juneteenth.
Event information:
June 19 at 11 a.m.
The Flag Poles, Greece Town Hall, 1 Vince Tofany Blvd., Rochester
Rochester Juneteenth Festival and Freedom Parade
The annual Juneteenth Festival, hosted by the Greater Rochester Martin Luther King Jr. Commission, the Rochester Area Community Foundation and the city of Rochester, will take place on June 19 and 20.
The first day of the festival focuses on honoring, educating and celebrating Rochester’s Black history. It will feature an elder’s circle, education on the history and significance of Juneteenth, an honoring of past and present MLK Jr. Commissioners, performances and entertainment.
The second day will feature the festival’s Freedom parade, performances, family friendly activities and more.
Event information:
June 19 from noon to 5 p.m.
June 20 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Martin Luther King Jr. Park, 353 Court St., Rochester
The Thurston Road YMCA Neighborhood Center’s Juneteenth Celebration
This Juneteenth celebration will feature food and fellowship including ice cream and video game stations.
Event information:
June 19 from noon to 4 p.m.
Thurston Road YMCA Neighborhood Center, 597 Thurston Rd, Rochester
RMSC Celebrates Juneteenth
This Juneteenth celebration will have a Black-Owned business bazaar — in the Eisenhart Auditorium — hands-on crafts and activities and history about Juneteenth. The Strasenburgh Planetarium will have showings for an additional cost including Laser Beyoncé.
Event information:
June 19 from noon to 5 p.m.
Rochester Museum and Science Center, 657 East Ave., Rochester
Juneteenth Community Picnic
As a part of its Juneteenth celebration, Community Care Hub will host a picnic for neighbors and community members to enjoy. The event will feature a “donate what you can” car wash, food, music, vendors and family activities.
Event information:
June 19 at 1 p.m.
Upper Room Family Worship Center, 831 Joseph Ave., Rochester
Caribbean American Heritage Month Juneteenth Reggae Party
This indoor/ outdoor party will feature iGNiTE! Reggae Band, Anthem Band from Connecticut and DJ Maestro. The event will also have Caribbean food and drink specials.
For tickets, visit https://events.humanitix.com/anthem-band-and-ignite-reggae-band/tickets.
Event information:
June 19 from 5 p.m. to 11:55 p.m.
Tropix Eatery & Lounge, 4775 Lake Ave, Rochester
Juneteenth Community Celebration at The Strong
As a part of its Juneteenth festivities, the Strong National Museum of Play will have free admission and parking. The free day of play will include performances, live music, hair braiding, art and more.
Event information:
June 20 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The Strong National Museum of Play, 1 Manhattan Square, Rochester
International Plaza Juneteenth Celebration
This event will feature live music and performances by Grand Tone and DJ Whispers, local vendors and community organizations. The event will be free to the public.
Event information:
June 21 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
International Plaza, 828 N. Clinton Ave, Rochester
— As a Rochester native, Justice Marbury entered the world of journalism to create work where voices like hers were heard — the voices of minority communities. Marbury covers small businesses, neighborhood concerns, and the interesting people who live in Rochester’s 19th Ward. As the 19th Ward reporter, she has helped implement community outreach ideas by asking what people in various communities want to read about themselves in addition to regular news. Contact her on Instagram @justice_marbury and by email at jmarbury@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Juneteenth events happening around Rochester this week
Reporting by Justice Marbury, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Justice Marbury, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle | USA TODAY Network
