Juneteenth Freedom Fest Is Back Downtown With Smaller Celebrations Elsewhere

Photo by Anastasia Pantsios

Sat 6/15 @ 11AM-8PM

Although Juneteenth ­ — the day the Union troops arrived in Texas in 1865 to inform the last slaves that they were free — has been celebrated in the Black community for almost that long, it’s only recently that it has become a larger civic celebration. Cleveland debuted its Freedom Fest downtown on Mall C in 2021, a giant letting-loose following a festival-less 2020.

It’s become a big celebration of art, music, dance, ideas, entrepreneurialism, games and camaraderie, from spontaneous line dances breaking out everywhere to kids enthralled with blowing giant bubbles.

There’s a ton of vendors on “Soul Food Row” and long lines to get a taste of their offerings. There are make-and-take crafts for kids, free roller skating on the portable rink, mini-golf, bumper cars, live art demos, Black artisans offering their products ranging from fashion to body products, organizations and government agencies providing information (hope the Board of Elections is there to register people — they missed Pride in the CLE!) Yes, there’s face painting — tell the kids and they will be eager to come!

There’s also a ton of entertainment all day including dance ensembles, Heights poet laureate Siaara Freeman and sound singer Charity Evonna on smaller Community Stage; and a Tribute to George Clinton and Funkadelic by the Karamu Performers headlining the Main Stage at 6pm, with a gospel showcase, the Daland Brass Band, and — OMG, it’s the ubiquitous Apostle Jones,  Cleveland’s (deservedly) hottest band of the moment, performing two sets at 12:30 and 2pm, with the ecstatic Djapo Cultural Arts Institute dancers and drummers sandwiched in between at 1:30. MetroHealth, the event’s sponsor, hosts an Ask a Doc stage, where their doctors will be providing information. And the Art Spot stage features storytime, a dance party, a Father’s Day tribute, and a musical petting zoo.

It’s free and open to all. Get full information here.

Not in the mood hanging with thousands of people or worried the kids will get overloaded? Cleveland Heights’ Freedom Day Celebration in Forest Hill Park from noon-4pm is a smaller, family-friendly event featuring food trucks, horse-drawn carriage rides, a climbing wall, a bungee trampoline, music by smooth jazz ensemble Hubb’s Groove for the adults, and a set by 10-year-old DJ Lily Jade and her dad as well as a performance by Heights poet laureate Siaara Freeman, who’ll have to hustle to get downtown for her 3pm performance at the big festival. This one too is free and open to everybody.

And yet another smaller festival — Ursuline College in Pepper Pike will be holding its 3rd annual Juneteenth celebration from 11am-3pm where there’ll be food, games, local vendors, health screenings and music by the Cover Girls and DJ Robert Johnson Jr, known as the “line dance king.” More info here.

Cleveland, OH 44199

Cleveland, OH 44124

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