2023 Juneteenth Celebrations
President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, an Executive Order on January 1, 1863, that declared "all persons held as slaves" within the rebellious states "are, and henceforward shall be free."
But it would be two more years before that order could be carried out. After the Civil War had been won, Union General Gordon Granger rode into Galveston, Texas and issued order General Order Number Three on June 19, 1865. It stated, “The people are informed that in accordance with a Proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free.” That special day was celebrated as Juneteenth the following year. But it wasn’t until President Joe Biden signed a bill into law in 2021 making Juneteenth a Federal Holiday, that the event was nationally celebrated.
Around the country there are numerous celebrations and metro Detroit will celebrate in full force. The Holiday falls on Monday, June 19th this year. In Detroit, the Juneteenth Freedom Fest – sponsored by the City of Detroit, Detroit Branch NAACP, Juneteenth Jubilee, Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, Detroit Means Business and the Eastern Market Development Corporation – begins on Friday, June 16 with the Beats & BBQ Block Party at the Batch Brewing Company. That will be followed by the Juneteenth Jubilee Stroll on Saturday. On Sunday, the Freedom Fest takes place at Eastern Market Shed 5 replete with a Dad Cook-Off where local dads will show of their BBQ rib cooking skills. For more information, check out mdbba.com/Juneteenth.
In Canton, the Juneteenth Community Celebration and 29th Annual Liberty Fair takes place from the 16th through the 18th. The event includes great food, top notch entertainment and family fun. A midway area, live entertainment on two stages along with the Canton Lions Club Pancake Breakfast, a Liberty Run with a 5K, 10K and One Mile Fun Run. To learn more, check out www.cantonlibertyfest.com.
From June 3-30, the Juneteenth Film Festival will take place at the Emagine Theatre Royal Oak. The creative remembrance honors black actors and actresses, directors and filmmakers with films that present “compelling moral stories and educate on racism and black history.” Tickets are $5 and all proceeds go to UNCF (the United Negro College Fund.)
In addition to the Film Festival, Royal Oak will host two other events – the Juneteenth Roundtable Discussion on June 15 and the June 19 Juneteenth Celebration. The roundtable takes place at Bamboo Royal Oak from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Lunch will be provided. The event will have special guest, Jamon Jordan – founder of Black Scroll Network. On June 19, the Juneteenth Celebration will take place from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Centennial Commons. Family-friendly activities, including music, games, performances, food trucks, vendors, giveaways and much more will be offered. Rainy weather will move the event into the Royal Oak Farmers Market. There is also a special 1865 steps to celebrate freedom walk in the surrounding neighborhood.
Ferndale will host the Juneteenth – Creation of Freedom for adults 18 and up. From 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., adults will create with paint and attendees are allowed to bring in food and snacks as well as beer and wine but no hard liquor. The event is $40 per person and takes place at the Painting with a Twist Studio at 200 West Nine Mile. Sign up here.
The 3rd Annual Madison Heights Juneteenth Celebration takes place at the Civic Center Park on Saturday, June 17. The live event features educational exhibits, speakers, entertainment, food trucks, vendor booths and fun activities for kids.
For even more area events celebrating Juneteenth, click here. Get educated and celebrate this historic occasion.