From art, to concerts, to block parties, here's how to celebrate Juneteenth in Pensacola
The city of Pensacola, local businesses and organizations will be hosting events throughout June in honor of Juneteenth, one of the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States.
The event has its roots two years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation, when Union Gen. Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865, and announced that all enslaved people in Texas were free.
The event inspired Juneteenth celebrations, which began in Texas and spread to other states over time. In 1980, Juneteenth became an official state holiday in Texas, and in 2021, it was declared a federal holiday across the United States.
In Pensacola, the 2023 Juneteenth season kicked off Saturday with the Gulf Coast Culture Fest. Here are some of the other Juneteenth celebrations occurring in the Pensacola area.
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A Family Reunion for the Culture! A Journey to Juneteenth event
The Watson Family Foundation will present the 2nd Annual Juneteenth: A Family Reunion for the Culture! event celebrating freedom, Black culture and local businesses.
There will be a variety of performers, food trucks, desserts, a kids zone, African clothing, art and many other vendors.
Location: Museum Plaza, 120 Church St.
Date and Time: June 17, noon to 6 p.m.
Gallery Night Pensacola - Juneteenth
On Friday, June 16, from 5-9 p.m., Gallery Night Pensacola’s theme will be “Juneteenth Kickoff!” As part of the “Journey to Juneteenth” celebration statewide, Gallery Night’s June event will highlight the federal holiday with special performances, art, and food.
Six-time Grammy nominee Ashanti Floyd, aka The Mad Violinist, will perform. Other performances include a fashion show showcasing local fashion designers and artisans and cultural performances from Ayoka African Drum and Dance.
Location: Gallery Night Pensacola, 13 Palafox Place
Date and Time: June 16, 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Toast to the Bay Wine & Spirit Festival
Join Toast to The Bay as they kick off the inaugural Wine & Spirits Festival. The day will be filled with music, wine, beer, food tasting, arts, games, prizes and more to celebrate Journey to Juneteenth.
Location: Casks and Flights, 116 E. Gonzalez St.
Date and Time: June 3, 3-8 p.m.
To buy tickets go to toasttothebay.com/tickets
The Tune to Juneteenth: a Mixtape Journey to Freedom Brunch
Join RWR Live 365 for The Tune of Juneteenth: a Mixtape Journey to Freedom Brunch, a live event featuring local artists and entertainment who will give attendees "a live playlist of freedom" while they enjoy free soul food and fellowship.
Location: Black Cafe and Bookstore, 3498 Dr. Martin Luther King Drive
Date and Time: June 18, 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Full Journey to Juneteenth lineup:
May
May 20 - Gulf Coast Culture Fest
June
June 4 - Beats’n’Eats Festival
June 6 - ‘My Ancestor’s Wildest Dreams’ Art Show at Artel Gallery
June 9 - Sanford Greene: Marvel Comic Artist Talk
June 10 - ‘Southern Belle’ Tea and Talk: Film Screening & Talk with Margo Stringfield
June 11 - Fort Pickens History Tour: "Journey to Juneteenth"
June 11 - When Queens Link Up: Focused on Freedom
June 15 - Drive to Freedom: Osceola Juneteenth Youth Golf Clinic (Summer Camp)
June 16 - WFPL Downtown Library: "Juneteenth" Adult Crafting
June 16 - Gallery Night ‘Celebrate Juneteenth’*
June 16 - Gangstagrass at Vinyl Music Hall
June 16 - Pensacola Happy Hour: Soul Food Edition*
June 17 - 309 Punk Project: Visiting Artist Roscoe Hall
June 17 - Fiesta Pensacola Minority Heritage Committee Emancipation Garden Party
June 17 - Third Annual Juneteenth Gala
June 18 - The Tune of Juneteenth Brunch
June 19 - Breadbox Theatre Presents: “Good Sense: A Rabbit Tale” All-Ages Puppet Show
June 19 - Juneteenth Unity Fest
June 19 - R&B and Blues Juneteenth Lawn Party
June 23 - Movies in the Park Series: “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”
For more information and keep up to date as events are added, go to visitpensacola.com/juneteenth.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Pensacola is celebrating Journey to Juneteeth with multiple events
