LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — As Juneteenth approaches, community members in Mid-Michigan will gather to celebrate and honor the date when the last enslaved African Americans were informed of their emancipation in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865.
Here’s a list of Juneteenth celebrations in Mid-Michigan:
Lansing
- June 18 – Dr. Clyde Carnegie Essay Scholarship and Art Competition: Winners of the Juneteenth Essay, Scholarship and Art Contest will be announced at the Michigan Library and Historical Center, located at 702 West Kalamazoo Street, at 5:30 p.m.
- June 19 – Juneteenth Flag Raising Ceremony: The third annual Juneteenth Flag Raising Ceremony will be held at the Lansing City Hall, located at 124 West Michigan Avenue, at 1 a.m.
- June 19 – Juneteenth Ice Cream Social: The event is hosted by the Ourspace Foundation. It will be held at Riverview Church- REO Town Venue from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
- June 19 – June 20 – Freedom Festival: Two days of celebration will be held at St. Joseph Park, including live entertainment, cultural performances, vendors, food and family activities. The event will be open on Friday from 4 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. and on Saturday from 11 a.m. until 8:30 p.m.
- June 19 – Juneteenth Jump Off: This event will be held at The Green Door, located at 2005 E Michigan Ave at 10 p.m.
- June 20 – 517 Juneteenth Festival (REO TOWN): This event will also be hosted by the Ourspace Foundation. The event starts at 3:30 p.m. until 11 p.m. There will be live performances, more than 100 vendors, a food court, a kids zone, and more. Registration is free and donations are encouraged.
- June 20 – African American Parade: The parade, dedicated to its founder, Rev. Dr. Michael C. Murphy, will begin at Sexton High School at 11 a.m.
Michigan State University
- June 17 – MSU Libraries Book Talk Series Finale: The book talk will be held at 404 Wilson Road, in WKAR Studio A at 6:15 p.m. The event will feature MSU professor Dr. LeConte Dill and her new book, “Soul Surivors.”
- June 19 – Juneteenth Youth Summit: MSU invites K-12 students to learn about the holiday’s history and speak with other community members. The event will be held at The MSU Multicultural Center at 535 N Shaw Lane.
Jackson
- June 18 – Juneteenth Employment Fair and political panel discussion: The job fair will happen at the City Center on 145 W. Cortland from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The political panel starts at 5:30 p.m.- 7 p.m. at the Martin Luther King Jr. Center at 1107 Adrian.
- June 20 – Jackson Juneteenth Celebration: The celebration will have live music, food and a Kids Zone. It starts at noon at Blackman Park.
Don’t see your event on the list? Email us the information at [email protected]. …