RICHMOND, Va. -- Juneteenth marks June 19, 1865, when the Union Army brought word to Galveston, Texas that slavery had been outlawed in the United States. In addition to it being a federal holiday, there are numerous celebrations planned around Central Virginia. Check back as more events are added to this list:
June 16, 2021
Juneteenth Neighborhood Block Party
Robinson Park
214 Westover Avenue, Henrico, Va. 23223
June 18, 2021 - July 2, 2021
Chesterfield County Public Library (CCPL) is hosting "StoryWalks" at libraries in each of its five magisterial districts. Picture books about Juneteenth have been placed on yard signs on trail around each building.
"All Different Now" by Angela Johnson
- Bensley Recreation Center, 2900 Drewrys Bluff Road, Richmond
- Ettrick-Matoaca Library, 4501 River Road, Petersburg
"Juneteenth Jamboree" by Carole Boston Weatherford
- River City Sportsplex (back fields), 13030 Genito Road, Midlothian
"Juneteenth for Mazie" by Floyd Cooper
- Central Library, 7051 Lucy Corr Blvd, Chesterfield
- Midlothian Mines Park, 13301 N Woolridge Road, Midlothian
CCPL also hosted a virtual program back on June 12 with historian Nathan Richardson, covering the history and impact of Juneteenth. Called “Juneteenth: Its History and Cultural Significance,” it can be viewed on CCPL's YouTube page.
June 19, 2021
Juneteenth in the Park
8AM-4PM
Pocahontas State Park
10301 State Park Rd., Chesterfield, Va. 23832
A day of learning, reflection and fun at the park with activities planned all day. There will be food trucks, entertainment, vendors and self-guided activities that can be completed at your own pace from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Juneteenth Jamboree/5K Marathon
10AM-2PM
838 E. Cary St, Richmond, Va. 23219
TriVegan Collaboration Launch
Starts at 11AM
313 E Broad St, Richmond, Va. 23219
Central VA African-American Chamber of Commerce Meetup Group
Online at 11:15 a.m.
"Keep Our Kids Free: Youth Talent Showcase & Block Party"
12PM-3PM
Six Points Innovation Center
3301 Meadowbridge Road
This inaugural event is co-hosted by RISE for Youth and Community 50/50. RISE's Executive Director Valerie Slater said it was birthed from the young people working at organization.
"We have a group of young folks that are integral to the work -- who are leading the work -- and they chose to do something to commemorate all the work that they're doing to really transition and transform juvenile justice here in Virginia," said Slater. "They named it the 'Keep Our Kids Free' as the Juneteenth holiday is synonymous with that very idea. It was the freeing of people and they are working to ensure that children indeed begin to understand that they have a freedom beyond what they have even dared to dream."
It's The Brunch For Me: Juneteenth Edition
1PM-7PM
The Speakeasy Grill
526 N 2nd Street, Richmond, Va. 23219
Juneteenth Celebration in Henrico County
1PM-10PM
Dorey Park
2999 Darbytown Road, Henrico, Va. 23231
From 1 to 5 p.m., There will be a vendor fair with Black-owned businesses; games for children, including hoop rolling, lawn bowling, sack races and inflatable slides; roaming historical interpreters; and a car club expo by Urban Wranglers RVA and Urban Jeepz New England from 1 to 5 p.m. There will be musical, dance and theatrical performances featuring Bak N Da Day at 3 p.m. and Plunky & Oneness at 7:15 p.m. Fireworks are scheduled for 9 p.m.
Juneteenth Jubilee In The Park
2PM-6PM
The Landing at Fountain Lake, Byrd park
501 South Arthur Ashe Boulevard
RVA Black Bar Crawl 2021: A Juneteenth Celebration
2PM-8PM
1712 E Franklin Street, Richmond, Va. 23223
Celebrate, network, and socialize at multiple minority-owned restaurants, bars, and lounges.
City of Petersburg Celebrates Juneteenth
4PM-11PM
Petersburg Sports Complex
100 Ballpark Road, Petersburg, Va. 23805
M.O.V.E.'s 2nd Juneteenth Celebration
3-7PM
Pocahontas Island
922-974 Magazine Road, Petersburg, Va. 23804
Join Motivating Other Voices Everywhere for their 2nd annual family-friendly Juneteenth celebration with free food, entertainment and vendors.
Juneteenth Powhatan: A celebration of culture, commerce and history
9AM-2 PM
Habitat for Humanity-Powhatan ReStore lawn at 1922 Urbine Road in Powhatan
Local author and historian Sandra Morris Kemp; Powhatan’s Black entrepreneurs and artisans; vintage cars from the Powhatan Cruizers; food vendors: the history of Pocahontas High School, plans for the new Drexel-Morrell Center, and the legacy of the St. Francis/St. Emma school campus.
RVA Juneteenth Cocktail Market
8PM-12AM
Charlotte's Southern Deli and Tapas
200 South 10th Street, Richmond, Va. 23219
Sunday Service Soul Food presents Afro-Rican Bomba Y Plena Juneteenth
Starts at 6PM
4360 S Laburnum Avenue, Henrico, Va. 23231
Chester YMCA free Juneteenth Zumba dance
9:45 AM
3011 W Hundred Road, Chester, VA 23831
This 90-minute class is free to members and the community so come out and dance, move, and enjoy some great music on this day of freedom.
VOWS Juneteenth Jamboree and 5K
10AM-2 PM
Richmond Highway
June 27, 2021
Juneteenth Festival: A Freedom Celebration
2-6PM
1540 E. Broad Street, Richmond, Va. 23219
The event is the Elegba Folklore Society’s 25th Anniversary Juneteenth observance. Dr. Gerald Horne will appear virtually to provide the often neglected yet framing historical, political and social context for America’s evolution and the presence of black people in it before the establishment of Juneteenth, on or about June 19, 1865 and after.
* WTVR digital intern Gabriel Thomas contributed to this list.
