Celebrate Juneteenth: Cleveland’s Juneteenth Freedom Fest and Other Local Events

by Ashley Sowers, Dru Christine and Denita Fletcher

Editor’s note: This story will be updated to include new events as we learn about them, check back often

Juneteenth is the celebration of the official end of slavery in America. It’s the “official” end because it happened over two years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation, which ended slavery. Learn more about the history of Juneteenth

While this celebration has been going on for decades, it has seemed to become more mainstream in recent years. Last year, a number of employers even recognized the date as a company-wide holiday. This year, the city of Cleveland continues the festivities with a number of events commemorating the special day. 

Mark your calendar!

Cleveland’s official Juneteenth event takes place on Saturday June 19th. Karamu House, the Downtown Cleveland Alliance, Cleveland Public Library, and Ingenuity Cleveland are teaming up to host the inaugural Juneteenth Freedom Fest in Downtown Cleveland. It is a free family-friendly event with performances by Karamu House, Lisa Fischer, Terri Lyne Carrington + Social Science, and Mumu Fresh. Also, you are not going to want to miss vendor village featuring local Black businesses and organizations. Finally, the night will culminate with a fireworks finale.

To find out more, visit juneteenthcle.com

Other events happening in our area

Besides the Juneteeth Freedom Fest, there are many other events taking place this week.

• Celebrating Freedom at the Cleveland Public Library

• Juneteenth Party With A Purpose

• Pride & Juneteenth Happy Hour Mixer

• Juneteenth Celebration in Coventry Business

• Juneteenth Jubilee Celebration Festival

• Juneteenth Bicycle Ride around the Circle

• Juneteenth Summer Music Fest

• Juneteenth Black Business Expo

• Land Before Rhyme – Juneteenth Show

• Mx. Juneteenth – A Black & Queer Liberation Celebration

• Same Color Shadow Juneteenth Arts Workshop@ the Rainey Institute

• Celebrating Juneteenth Cabaret Style. Wear your Red, Black & Green 

• It’s Game Night-Juneteenth Edition

• Squad Up Models 5th Annual Fashion Jam Presents Juneteenth Kings & Queens

• Juneteenth Symposium

• NAACP Cleveland Branch Presents:  #Scene18 Cookout

• The 2021 High Garden Experience:  An Exclusive Summer Day Party

• RunTeenth Fun Run Tee

• Juneteenth on Buckeye-Summer Soul Festival

• Juneteenth at Cleveland Cultural Gardens

Juneteeth Events without websites

• Freedom, Umoja – Unity, A Juneteenth Celebration Dunham Tavern Museum, 6709 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH 44103

• 12th Annual Juneteenth Drum & Dance Festival– 10 am, Pivot Center of Art, Dance & Expression 2937 West 25th Street Cleveland, Ohio 44113 

• Juneteenth Celebration– 1662 Crawford Road, Cleveland, Ohio 44106

  Noon – 10pm FREE  Sponsored by: Little Africa Food Collaborative

• Juneteenth Block Party & Vendor Fair at Unbar 12pm – 6pm

  12635 Larchmere Blvd. – Cleveland, Ohio 44120. Sponsored by: Lokul

• Juneteeth Celebration at the Box Spot– 8005 Kinsman Rd, Cleveland Ohio noon-5 pm Sponsored by Stoney of My Loud Radio

• Juneteeth Flash Mob– Shops at Glen-Village 1400 E. 105th Street, Cleveland, Ohio.11 am-1 pm Sponsored by the Real Black Friday & Iota Phi Theta Fraternity Inc, Beta Lambda Omega Chapter