Downtown Cleveland’s Juneteenth Freedom Fest Expands to Two Days

Photo by Anastasia Pantsios

Fri 6/16 @ 6-10PM

Sat 6/17 @ 10AM-6PM

It was just two years ago that Cleveland debuted its Juneteenth Freedom Festival on Mall C downtown, making a community-wide event of a holiday that was virtually unknown outside the Black community, where it had been celebrated since the 19th century to mark the day in June 1865 when union troops arrived in Texas and told the slaves there that they were now free — nearly two-and-a-half years after the Emancipation Proclamation

That expansion of such events seemed to be happening everywhere simultaneously, perhaps due to the outpouring of response to the murder of George Floyd by police. And now the festival is expanding as well. For the first time, it will be a two-day event downtown, featuring food trucks and a Soul Food Row; a vendor village; a variety of live performances, including music, dance and spoken word; educational tables and displays; kids’ games and activities including bumper cars and mini golf; and interactive art projects, with a focus on the Cleveland’s deep pool of Black creative and entrepreneurial talent.

Friday evening will feature that favorite attraction of all Clevelanders, regardless of color: fireworks. That’ll be preceded by performances from smooth jazz ensemble Hubb’s Groove and Karamu musicians and dancers. Rapper/DJ Kid Capri brings the evening to a close.

On Saturday you can kick off the day with hip-hop cardio and stick around for such performers as the legendary Shaw High School band, the Word Church Gospel Choir. Djapo Cultural Arts institute and again, Karamu’s squad. Various organizations will spotlight their work on the Speakers’ Stage. Various officials, including Congresswoman Shontel Brown, will welcome visitors at 1pm on the Main Stage.

It’s free and open to all. And there are still plenty of events elsewhere in the Black community; just look around.

juneteenthcle

Cleveland, OH 44199

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