Celebrate Juneteenth in Greater Columbus with this slate of events, festivals
On Sunday, Americans will gather to celebrate Juneteenth, the holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the U.S.
Over 150 years ago in 1865, Union soldiers led by Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas. The troops brought the news that the American Civil War had ended and enslaved people were now free.
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Juneteenth has grown in the years since. The holiday is now celebrated across the county with backyard barbeques, parades, festivals and more.
”Juneteenth today celebrates African American freedom and achievement, while encouraging continuous self-development and respect for all cultures,” according to the holiday’s website.
Last year, President Joe Biden signed an act establishing Juneteenth as a federal holiday. Most federal employees will receive Monday off this year since it falls on a Sunday.
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Hoping to celebrate Juneteenth this year in Columbus? We've got you covered. Here's a roundup of some Juneteenth events taking place in central Ohio:
Thursday
Local historian Rita Fuller-Yates will share information about her book "Columbus Black History," a look at the city's Black history, at 6:30 p.m. at the Martin Luther King branch of the Columbus Metropolitan Library, 1467 E. Long St. events.columbuslibrary.org
Friday
A Juneteenth Market takes over Easton Town Center's Town Square from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., featuring more than 20 Black-owned businesses from throughout Greater Columbus selling everything from clothing to candles. eastontowncenter.com/events
The Bexley Public Library, 2411 E. Main St., is hosting a Juneteenth celebration from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. featuring a marketplace of Black-owned businesses, music, food, art and dance. Admission is free. bexley.libnet.info/events
Saturday
The free Making a Difference Dads Fraternity Breakfast begins at 8 a.m. at the King Arts Complex, 835 Mt. Vernon Ave., to commemorate Juneteenth and Father's Day. Registration is required at eventbrite.com.
Reynoldsburg Juneteenth Celebration will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Huber Park, 1640 Davidson Drive. A 5K walk and run starts at JFK Park. (Register at columbusice.org/5k.) At noon, the main festival is set to begin, hosted by WSYX-TV (Channel 6) anchor Rodney Dunigan. There will be live music, health screenings, activities from COSI, voter registration, food trucks and vendors. reynoldsburg.gov
Juneteenth on the Ave runs from noon to 6 p.m. along Mount Vernon Avenue, between N. 17th St., and St. Clair Ave., with a showcase of visual and performing arts, as well as food trucks, dance, spoken-word performances, games and Black-owned businesses. juneteenthontheave.com
The Juneteenth Community Festival will be held at the Phenix Banquet Center, 2101 Noe-Bixby Road, from 4 to 9 p.m. There will be food, live music, dance and spoken word performances. Admission is $5 for adults, free for kids 5 and under. Tickets can be purchased online. phenixeventvenuecolumbusoh.com
"Freedomworks," a Juneteenth fireworks display presented by Maroon Arts Group, can be viewed from Columbus State Community College, 550 E. Spring St., at 9:30 p.m. Admission is free. eventbrite.com
Saturday and Sunday
The two-day Juneteenth Ohio Festival, located at Genoa Park, 303 W. Broad St., runs from noon to 11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and has events ranging from a classic car show to a job fair to live music. There's also a talent show and children's activities. Admission is free until 3 p.m. both days. Admission is $10 online, $15 at the gate, and $5 for children. juneteenthohio.com
Sunday
Juneteenth Jubilee Day will take place at the Ohio History Connection's Ohio Village, 800 E. 17th Ave. from noon to 4 p.m., which will include performances from Ohio Black Dance as well as storytelling and theatrical reenactments. Admission is $13 for adults, $11 for seniors and college students, $7 for children, and free for children 3 and under and Ohio History Connection members. ohiohistory.org/visit/ohio-village
The Kelton House, 586 E. Town St., is hosting a celebration from noon to 4 p.m. that will include musical performances, creating a family flag, museum tours, as well as a presentation on Town Street's ties to the Underground Railroad. keltonhouse.com.
Producer Keely Brown contributed to this article.
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: A guide to Juneteenth events for the Columbus area
