Lexington has all kinds of activities and events planned to celebrate Juneteenth this year, the fourth year Juneteenth has officially been recognized as a national holiday.
“We have many community members who work hard to make Juneteenth memorable and special, year after year,” Mayor Linda Gorton said. “This year, we will celebrate with flags, art, food, singing, and much more.”
Juneteenth, also known as Emancipation Day, became an official federal holiday in 2021. It is the oldest national celebration commemorating the end of slavery in the United States – the June 19 holiday honors the day all those who were enslaved in the U.S. received word they had been freed.
Juneteenth flags will adorn Main Street beginning June 10. There will also be banners along the Legacy Trail, from Isaac Murphy Memorial Art Garden to the North Lexington YMCA.
Events highlighting the celebration in Lexington include:
- 19th Annual Juneteenth Jubilee, 7 – 8:30 p.m., June 15, African Cemetery No. 2, 419 East 7th St.: Lexington’s oldest Juneteenth Celebration will again highlight the spirit of freedom, and honor the Civil War soldiers who fought for that freedom.
- Soulteenth Fest, noon – 6 p.m., June 15, Moondance Amphitheater, 1152 Monarch St.: Celebrates black liberation and ingenuity through music, art, agriculture, and food.
- Juneteenth Freedom Day, 2 – 8 p.m., June 16, Douglass Park, 726 Georgetown St.: A community celebration sponsored by Wiseguys Barbershop and the Georgetown Street Neighborhood Area Association to bring awareness to culture, history, equality, and peace through food, music and activities for children.
- “A Sense of Place”, 11 a.m., June 19, Cadentown Missionary Baptist Church, 2950 Cadentown Road: Juneteenth celebration in a historic Black hamlet.
- Juneteenth Independence Day Celebration, doors open 6 p.m., June 19, Lyric Theatre and Cultural Arts Center, 300 E. Third St.: A celebration of African American independence and artistic expression through live performances including jazz, hip-hop, line-dancing, African drumming, spoken word, rap, violin, stepping, ballet, gospel, acting, and opera.
- Juneteenth Celebration presented by U.S. Freedmen Coalition, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m., June 22, Charles Young Park, 215 Midland Ave.: Entertainment, food, information booths, vendors, and community fellowship celebrating black American liberation.
