City of Pensacola Highlights a Variety of Events Celebrating Juneteenth

The City of Pensacola is highlighting a variety of events scheduled to celebrate Juneteenth, the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States.

"I am excited to see the Pensacola community come together to celebrate Juneteenth and everything this day represents for the Black community and our entire country," District 5 Councilwoman Teniadé Broughton said. "I grew up celebrating Juneteenth right here in Pensacola, and I want to see it keep growing more and more each year. Juneteenth is not just for the Black community to celebrate – it is a national holiday focused on Black people and Black history, but everyone is invited to celebrate and enjoy the many great events we have planned right here in Pensacola."

In addition to several city-sponsored events, many local businesses and organizations are hosting Juneteenth events to commemorate the holiday.

Please note: This list may not be all-inclusive, as events continue to be added. Stay tuned to the Visit Pensacola events calendar for updates.

Friday, June 10

Journey to Juneteenth Menu and Movie Showing: 6-9 p.m. - Almost Vegan Soul Café, 532 W. Garden St.

Saturday, June 11

Juneteenth: A Celebration of Freedom – A Tour of Historic Teaspoon: 11 a.m. (bus leaves City Hall at 10 a.m.) - Century, Florida - Pilgrim Lodge Baptist Church (7000 Jefferson Circle), Carver Community Center (7040 Jefferson Circle), Alger-Sullivan Historical Society (610 4th St.). Visit historic sites, learn about the old freedom town, see artifacts, witness dance and choir performances and more with hosts Marilyn Robinson, Jerry Fisher, and Jewel Cannada-Wynn. Contact: jacwynn60@yahoo.com or 850-346-7264
Journey to Juneteenth: Beats and Eats: noon to 5 p.m. - Community Maritime Park, 301 W. Main St., Pensacola. Free admission. Black food trucks, vendors, DJ battle and more. Details: Visit Pensacola website

Friday, June 17

Florida Public Archaeology Network – Kayak Tour: 9-11 a.m. - Bruce Beach. 601 W. Main St., Pensacola. This event is open to the public, but RSVPs are required. Space is limited to 20 participants, so please email ngrinnan@uwf.edu to reserve your spot. Details: Florida Public Archaeology Network website
Gallery Night - Juneteenth Kickoff: 5-9 p.m. - Downtown Pensacola (along Palafox Street between Main Street and Garden Street). Vendors, art, food trucks, performance by Ashanti the Mad Violinist, and more. Details: Gallerynightpensacola.org

Friday, June 17 and Saturday, June 18

5 Sisters Blues Café - Celebrating Juneteenth: 421 W. Belmont St., Pensacola. Details: GreatSouthernRestaurants.com
Henry Box Brown – A Musical Journey: 1 p.m. matinee for students, 6:30 p.m. ticketed performance - WSRE TV Jean & Paul Amos Performance Studio, Pensacola State College, Kugelman Center for Telecommunications, 1000 College Blvd. Presented by The Equity Project Alliance. Now optioned and bound for Broadway, Henry Box Brown: A Musical Journey is an amazing fusion of R&B and gospel, telling the unmissable true tale of an 1850s Virginia slave who mails himself to freedom in a box. Performed for over 40,000 people from the U.S to the U.K. NYC - this is "a crowd-pleaser that shines a light on our capacity to transcend." Details: Visit Pensacola website

Saturday, June 18

“A Journey to Juneteenth” – R&B and Blues Lawn Party: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. - 205 E. Zaragoza St. – Downtown Pensacola (Behind Tivoli High House & South Market). Free admission, live music, arts and crafts, food vendors and more. Featuring finalist of BET’s ‘Sunday’s Best’ singing competition, Keyla Richardson (Pensacola native).
Juneteenth: A Family Reunion – For the Culture: noon to 6 p.m. - Museum Plaza, 120 Church St. Presented by The Watson Foundation. Live performances, food vendors, art/African clothing vendor, kids’ entertainment, spades and domino tables. Bring your own chairs or picnic blankets. Details: Visit Pensacola website
The 2nd Annual Juneteenth Gala – A Celebration of Black Success: 8 p.m. - Museum of Commerce, 201 Zaragoza St., Pensacola. Tickets: $35 per person or $400 for a table of 8. 21+, BYOB. Live Entertainment by Melodious Allen & The Funk Heads, Saxophonist Austin Paul Jr. Presented by Caring Passionate Results. Details and tickets: Eventbrite

Sunday, June 19

Pensacola Juneteenth Block Party: 2-5 p.m. - 401 N. Reus St., Pensacola. Hosted by ‘Truth For Youth’ (founded in 1993 to create a wholesome environment for underprivileged, low-income, and at-risk youth in Pensacola). Music from DJ Hale, free food from East King’s Café, free snow cones from Bam! Snoballs (while supplies last). Part of #BLKFLA tour, a series of events hosted by the Black Voters Matter Fund.

About Juneteenth

Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States.

From its Galveston, Texas origin in 1865, the observance of June 19th as the African American Emancipation Day has spread across the United States and beyond.

Today Juneteenth commemorates African American freedom and emphasizes education and achievement. It is a day, a week, and in some areas, a month marked with celebrations, guest speakers, picnics and family gatherings. It is a time for reflection and rejoicing. It is a time for assessment, self-improvement and for planning the future. Its growing popularity signifies a level of maturity and dignity in America long over due. In cities across the country, people of all races, nationalities and religions are joining hands to truthfully acknowledge a period in our history that shaped and continues to influence our society today.

Learn more about Juneteenth at juneteenth.com.

For more information or general questions, email pio@cityofpensacola.com. To stay informed about what's happening with City of Pensacola government, sign up for email or text notifications through Notify Me or follow @CityofPensacola on social media.

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