Where to celebrate Juneteenth this weekend in Volusia, Flagler counties

Katie Kustura, The Daytona Beach News-Journal
·2 min read

On June 19, 1865, Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, with news of the utmost importance – the war was over; all slaves were free.

The date has a few monikers: Freedom Day; America's second Independence Day; and, as it's most widely known, Juneteenth.

It's the oldest nationally celebrated remembrance of the ending of slavery in the United States, according to the nonprofit Society for Public Health Education.

Last year, President Joe Biden signed a Senate bill into law, making Juneteenth a federal holiday.

Here's where to celebrate the holiday this weekend in Volusia and Flagler counties for free, unless stated otherwise:

Daytona Beach

Saturday is the Juneteenth Family Festival from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Cypress Street Park and the Midtown Cultural and Educational Center, 925 George Engram Blvd. The festival will have food, vendors, live entertainment and a pound cake contest at 2 p.m.

Dancers perform during a previous Juneteenth celebration in Daytona Beach. The event was postponed for the past two years due to the pandemic.
Dancers perform during a previous Juneteenth celebration in Daytona Beach. The event was postponed for the past two years due to the pandemic.

Clothing company Out Tha Mud is hosting Black-owned business pop-up shops from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Masonova Plaza in the 1000 block of Mason Avenue. Tickets to the Trap 'N Paint event, from 6:15 to 7:35 p.m. at Elaine's Blessed Event Center, 1063 Mason Ave., are $35.

Also on Saturday is an evening of discussion and painting with Al Black, one of the Florida Highwaymen, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Hunt House, 250 S. Palmetto Ave. Tickets are $100. Visit bit.ly/3LVtOIV.

Hunt House: Room by room, resident's vacation rental property honors Daytona Beach history

DeLand

Saturday is the Unity in the Community Celebration from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Earl Brown Park, 750 S. Alabama Ave., featuring food, vendors and live entertainment.

Two women share a laugh during the celebration of Juneteenth in DeLand on June 19, 2021.
Two women share a laugh during the celebration of Juneteenth in DeLand on June 19, 2021.

From 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday is a Negro League softball match at the Chipper Jones Little League Complex, 403 S. Alabama Ave.

Palm Coast

Saturday is the African American Cultural Society's celebration from noon to 5 p.m. at the society's headquarters, 4422 U.S. Highway 1 N., just north of Whiteview Parkway. There will be vendors, food, entertainment, crafts and games.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Juneteenth celebrations set for weekend in Daytona, DeLand, Palm Coast