Juneteenth in Alabama: Celebrations planned across the state

By Lawrence Specker

Scenes from the inaugural Juneteenth Freedom Festival 2021, held at Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden, in Livingston. June 19, 2021. (Staten Island Advance/Derek Alvez)

Juneteenth is a holiday that seems to get a little more joyous across Alabama every year, and judging from the ever-increasing number of public celebrations. 2022 continues the trend.

A Juneteenth Celebration Guide published by the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute starts with a quick summary of the concept: Though President Abraham Lincoln’s emancipation proclamation became law in January 1863, it was not enforced in places still under Confederate control. Thus it took over 2 years for approximately 250,000 Texan slaves to learn their freedom had been secured by the government.” It was June 19, 1865 when U.S. Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger announced the news in Galveston, Texas.

The word “Juneteenth,” a mashup of “June” and “nineteenth,” first appeared in the 1890s. “Juneteenth marks a date of major significance in American history and shows us that freedom and racial equality have always been a hard-fought battle for Black Americans – a battle that continues to this day,” says the BCRI guide.

Athens

The Limestone County NAACP will hold a Juneteenth celebration from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 18, in Lincoln Bridgeforth Park. Activities include voter registration, free COVID testing, vaccinations and booster shots, and free refreshments. A blood drive will be held and city and county law enforcement will be on had “for questions and communication.” For more information, call 251-216-5668 or 256-797-1333.

A 2nd annual Juneteenth Festival will be held from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday, June 19, in the courthouse square in downtown Athens. Admission is free. Attractions include food, vendors, music, art, live bands and more. Visitors are advised to bring lawn chairs.

Auburn/Opelika area

Historic St. Luke A.M.E. Church at 1308 Auburn St. in Opelika will celebrate Juneteenth from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 18. Free and open to the public. The family friendly event will include games, fundraisers, guest speakers, food and drink and more.

The Greater Valley Juneteenth Celebration of Freedom will take place from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday in downtown Lanett, with attractions including music, food, fun and games. A fireworks show starting at 7:30 p.m. can be viewed from the Old Mill parking lot. Free. www.facebook.com/Greater-Valley-Juneteenth-Festival-1742648929169723/.

A Juneteenth Celebration of Culture is planned for 3 pm. Sunday, June 19, at courthouse square in downtown Opelika. Attractions at the free event include live music, a freedom march, food vendors, special performances and a Fathers Day barbecue. For information call 334-559-5183.

Baldwin County

A Third Annual Juneteenth celebration will be held from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, June 18, at the Fairhope Rotary Youth Club, 19128 Young St. Admission is free. Attractions include food and merchandise vendors, entertainment and children’s activities. www.facebook.com/groups/481168466286202.

Birmingham area

An inaugural Juneteenth Empowerment Luncheon will be presented by Run With Ruby LLC at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 16, at B&A Warehouse, 1531 1st Avenue S. Organizers say “We anticipate 2-hours of profound dialogue, professional networking, and powerful content from inspirational speakers.” Judge Ruby Davis will serve as host; speakers include Dr. Lori Bush of Now Vision Eye Care, Judge Carole Smitherman and Birmingham Civil Rights Institute President DeJuana Thompson. General admission is $75, tables are $600; registration available through Eventbrite.

Arlington Historic House and Gardens will offer “Juneteenth: Freedom in Body, Mind & Spirit,” a yoga and meditation practice, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, June 17. Interested participants can RSVP at arlingtonbham@birminghamal.gov. Bring your own mat; light refreshments will be served. www.arlingtonbham.org.

The Black Diamond Juneteenth Banquet takes place from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, June 17, at the Crescent Cultural Center, 11121 Tuscaloosa Ave. SW. The event will feature keynote speaker Kwabena Lumumba, a community activist and photographer from Atlanta. Tickets are $35, available through Eventbrite.

An inaugural Juneteenth Festival will be presented in Gardendale by Balancing and Overcoming Life Adversities and IGKnight LLC starting at noon Saturday, June 18, at 857 Main St. Attractions include music, art, poetry, food trucks and other vendors. The event is free and open to the public; registration is available through Eventbrite.

The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute will hold its Freedom Day celebration from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, June 18, with the theme “Backyard Boogie.” “Come and experience The Color of Baseball photography exhibit by Bill Chapman, a captivating special salute to Negro Leagues. We’ll welcome special guests to our main stage and boogie to live performances in our backyard celebration. The National Hook-Up of Black Women Birmingham will facilitate fun activities for children and we’ll present an Authors Village where you can meet local authors.” Free gallery tours will be available; registration is encouraged but not required. www.bcri.org/juneteenth. Special events at BCRI include a free screening of “Through Her Eyes” at 2 p.m. Saturday. According to information provided by BCRI, the film is the story of Rosalee Winbush played by actress Rayven Symone Ferrell, as a timid African-American student struggling with her decision to attend a newly integrated school while finding the courage to become the change she desires under extreme racial tensions in the American South; the movie was written & directed by Birmingham native Trent Lumpkin.

Hoover-AHEAD will present its second annual Juneteenth celebration from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 18, at Veterans Park, 4800 Valleydale Road in Hoover. Attractions include free family fun and education, “The story of Juneteenth,” live performances including African dancing and drumming and a youth choir, children’s activities and food trucks and other vendors. For information, visit www.hoover-ahead.com or www.facebook.com/officialhooverahead.

The Juneteenth in the Magic City Festival, presented by Simone’s Kitchen ATL, takes place from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday, June 19, at 521 3rd Ave. N. Attractions include “the hottest food trucks in the city, vendors, live band, firework show, African dancers, & an overload of black excellence. The first 100 tickets are $5, once those early bird tickets are sold out general admission is $10. simoneskitchenatl.com/juneteenth-festival.

The National Juneteenth Observance Foundation of Alabama will hold its official Juneteenth commemoration from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 19, in Kelly Ingram Park. nationaljuneteenthalabama.org.

The Lifting As We Climb Foundation and Beta Mu Nu chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity will present an inaugural Juneteenth celebration from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday, June 19 at Historic Arlington Historic House & Gardens. Attractions include food trucks, networking, vendors, heathcare information, DJs and live music and fireworks. Children younger than 12 admitted free; early bird tickets are $15, regular admission is $25, tickets available through Eventbritewww.omegalawcf.org.

The Office of Diversity and Intercultural Initiatives at Samford University will present “A Taste of Juneteenth” at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 21, in Ben Brown Plaza. Interested participants are invited to stop by to learn more about the holiday, grab a snack and hear a short presentation by professor Ahinee Amamoo. Registration is free and available via Eventbrite.

Florence

Jammin4Justice will present its 3rd annual Juneteenth Celebration from Thursday through Sunday, June 17-19. Main events include a Juneteenth Parade in downtown Florence at 10 a.m. Saturday; a hip-hop and R&B festival in McFarland Park from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday; and Praise & Worship by the River from noon to 2 p.m. Sunday, followed by a “Neo Soul Cool Down & R&B” concert starting at 3 p.m. https://www.facebook.com/jammin4justice.

An inaugural Juneteenth Celebration co-sponsored by the city of Florence and the University of North Alabama will be held from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, June 19, at Lewis Field, 1050 Pruitt St. “The event will celebrate freedom, heritage, and community. Those who attend will learn more about local organizations and business as well as enjoy free food, live music, spoken word poetry readings, face painting, and more.” For more information, visit www.facebook.com/CityofFlorenceAlabama or the Facebook page of UNA’s Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, www.facebook.com/UNADDEI.

Gadsden

The Carver Community Revitalization Committee will present a Juneteenth Celebration Festival Saturday, June 18, in Carver Square at 1030 Tuscaloosa Ave. Attractions include a kids’ corner, a horse show, a fireworks show, vendors, food and entertainment. For more info visit www.ccrcgadsden.org or call 256-399-9228. https://www.facebook.com/CCRCGADSDEN.

Guntersville

Reclaiming Our Time will host a block party from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, June 19, in Errol Allen Park. Attractions include a DJ, free food, Black business owners, games, and more. https://www.facebook.com/events/2793843607587431.

Huntsville

The FUS-22 Juneteenth Festival takes place from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, June 18, at The Palace HSV, 4000 Pulaski Pike NW. The fest is described as a family- and kid-friendly event with more than 40 vendors, kids’ activities and live entertainment.

The Camp at 5909 University Drive will present its second annual Juneteenth Festival starting at noon on Saturday. Attractions include performances by Meme B. Jones, Dee-1, Lockhart & The Family, Wade Brown, Stephen “PR” Kane, Jalen Kelly, Dante Pride, DJ Cee O, Flykilangelo, DJ Primetime256, Ase Selah, Queen Keiani and William Hamption, and a car show. www.facebook.com/explorethecamp.

Mobile

The Dora Franklin Finley African-American Heritage Trail, in conjunction with Mobile’s Parks & Recreation Department, will present free history tours starting hourly from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, June 17. A 15-passenger vehicle will pick up and drop off passengers at the History Museum of Mobile; seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis. The 45-minute tour route will include markers encompassing slavery and freedom, such as the slave market, Africatown, Stone Street Baptist Church and the Bettie Hunter House. For more information, visit www.dffaaht.org.

The Maynard 4 Foundation will present its Miss Juneteenth scholarship pageantry program June 17-19 at the Battle House Hotel & Spa. The foundation describes the event as “a unique pageantry experience for young ladies nationwide between the ages of 13-18. This pageant experience aims not only to showcase the inherent beauty and talent of these young ladies but to minimize stereotypes; develop a sense of self-confidence and pride; and deepen the understanding of African and Black/African American history and culture.” For full information, visit missjuneteenth.org.

The Mobile Public Library offer a special event “exploring the recent global attention Mobile has received for the city’s unique history in the slave trade” at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 18, in Bernheim Hall in the Ben May Main Branch at 701 Government St. Ben Raines, the journalist who first located the wreckage confirmed as the ruin of the Clotilda, will discuss his book “The Last Slave Ship.” Afterward, Raines will participate in a Q&A and panel discussion also featuring Darron Patterson and Joycelyn Davis of the Clotilda Descendants Association and Vickii Howell, founder of the M.O.V.E Gulf Coast Community Development Corporation. Copies of Raines’ book will be available for purchase and autographs. For more information, please email Marian Ponder at mponder@mplonline.org or call 251-494-2298.

The city will offer an afternoon of family fun from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, June 19, at the Hope Community Center, 850 Edwards Street. Attractions include live bands, DJ, inflatables, games and more. Patrons are encouraged to bring blankets or chairs and coolers and snacks.

Montgomery

The Montgomery Museum of Fine Art will hold a free Juneteenth celebration from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 18, focusing on “African American culture, creativity, and community.” Points of interest include a performance of “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” a second Line-style procession around the Museum grounds, commentary from author and advocate Tonya Terry and music from Amon Robinson, DJ Ali, Souled Out Groove with Terrence Baldwin, The Avant Garde with Jonathan Avant, Shelia Jackson, and Alabama Boys, as well as spoken word poetry from Jae Green and Afro-centric dance led by SQAD at the new Bayeté Ross Smith artwork, Got the Power: Montgomery. “Under tents and on the lawn, participants will enjoy yard games, art-making activities including paper beads and homemade tambourines, and open studio artmaking with artists Toni Toney, Milton Madison, and E L Chisolm.” For more details of the program, visit mmfa.org/event/juneteenth-2022.

Montgomery’s Department of Cultural Affairs will present a Global African Diaspora Heritage Day from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday at Riverwalk Amphitheater. Attractions include food trucks, vendors, kids’ zone and performances by Lady K and aerialist Courtney Coleman. www.mgmcityevents.com.

A free Juneteenth Praise Fest starts at 3 p.m. Sunday, June 19, at the Riverwalk Amphitheater. Presented by KD-FM 94.1 and WZKD-AM 950, the show features Keith “Wonderboy” Johnson and Doc McKenzie & the Hi-Lites.

Prichard

Juneteenth celebrations run from Sunday, June 19, through Wednesday, June 22, in Prichard. The main public celebration, presented by the city and the Alabama Power Foundation takes place Sunday, with a parade rolling at noon on Route B and a downtown festival starting at 3 p.m. on South Wilson Avenue. According to promotional materials, festival attractions include a kids’ corner, a food giveaway, vendors and entertainment. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/thecityofprichardAL.

Tuscaloosa

Stillman College’s Black Male Initiative will host its Juneteenth Weekend Festival June 17-19 on Sheppard’s Lawn on the Stillman College campus. Events include the Juneteenth Dust Bowl 5-on-5 B-Ball Classic at 3 p.m. Friday and Saturday; a Black Arts Festival and Grill-Off starting at 2 p.m. Saturday; Church on the Quad at noon Sunday; and a Fathers Day Brunch at 1 p.m. Sunday. More details and tickets are available via Eventbrite.

The Tuscaloosa NAACP will present a Juneteenth Celebration in the Park from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, June 18, with performances by Nathaniel Kimble, Caroline Shines & the Impulse Band, SagaThe9th and more. Additional attractions include food trucks, bounce houses and more. The organization also will present an inaugural Juneteenth Parade at 10 a.m. Saturday, with a route going from Westlawn Middle School to Plum Grove Baptist Church.