Juneteenth is a Black American holiday celebrated annually on June 19 to remember the day when word finally came in 1865 to enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, that slavery had ended due to President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation on Jan. 1, 1863.
The newest federal holiday was signed into law on June 17, 2021, establishing June 19 as Juneteenth National Independence Day.
Here’s a sampling of area-wide Juneteenth events
Thursday
Los Angeles County Parks and Recreation – Juneteenth: Special programs at four locations, today (and upcoming), include cultural activities and workshops, live music and performances. No registration required, Free to attend. Food available for purchase. Today, 4-8 p.m. at Valleydale Park (5525 N. Lark Ellen Ave., Azusa; 626-334-8020). Upcoming: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. June 20 at Jackie Robinson Park (8773 E. Ave. R, Sun Village; 661-944-2880); 4-8 p.m. June 25 at El Cariso Community Regional Park (13100 Hubbard St., Sylmar; 818-367-5043); 11 a.m.-3 p.m. June 27 at Don Knabe Park (19700 S. Bloomfield Ave., Cerritos; 562-924-5144). Call your local park for more information or go to parks.lacounty.gov/juneteenth
Friday
Opal’s Walk for Freedom – Juneteenth event: Opal Lee, the “grandmother of Juneteenth,” walked 2.5 miles for many years to raise awareness of, and to campaign for, Juneteenth to be made a federal holiday. The 2.5 mile local walk in Pacoima begins, 9 a.m. The length of miles is symbolic of the two and a half years for enslaved people in Texas to be told of the 1863 Emancipation Proclamation. Register in advance online at opalswalk.com or register on-site at 7:30 a.m. June 19. The walk begins at Hillery T. Broadous Elementary School, 12561 Filmore St., Pacoima and ends at Pacoima City Hall, 13520 Van Nuys Blvd. 818-454-4626. sfvjuneteenth.org
Altadena Historical Society’s 5th Annual Juneteenth Celebration: Make a reservation and payment in advance to attend ($35, includes lunch; no tickets sold at the door; tinyurl.com/3hfztm49), noon. Event includes an Altadena Oral History Project with Altadena African American community members speaking about the Eaton fire, the Ellen Garrison Clark Scholarship Award ceremony, a display of handcrafted quilts, and a Juneteenth photography exhibit curated by photographer Alfred Haymond. Loma Alta Park, 3330 N. Lincoln Ave. 626-797-8016. facebook.com/AltadenaHistoricalSociety
California African American Museum: A “Scavenger Hunt” in the galleries, 2-3 p.m. Reservations suggested but not required, here: tinyurl.com/yjennwvb. caamuseum.org/programs/talks-and-workshops. Free admission. Parking $20 before 5 p.m. (parking lot entrance at West 39th and South Figueroa streets). Museum location, corner of Exposition Boulevard and South Figueroa Street, Los Angeles (in Exposition Park). 213-744-7432. facebook.com/CAAMinLA/. caamuseum.org
Saturday
Juneteenth – Freedom Day Celebration – Oxnard: The 35th annual event with art, music and food, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Opening ceremony, 10 a.m. See the flyer on the website. Free admission. Plaza Park, 500 S. C St., Oxnard. juneteenthoxnard.org/
Black in the Valley’s Juneteenth Community Celebration – Woodland Hills: Event includes cultural exhibits, live entertainment, youth activities, Black small-business owners information and sales, and food trucks, noon-6 p.m. The program begins, 1 p.m. See a directory of Black-owned business in the San Fernando Valley here: blackinthevalley.org/directory.html). Bring a blanket or lawn chairs for seating. Pierce College, Rocky Young Park, use the parking lot entrance from Victory Boulevard at Mason Avenue, Woodland Hills. 818-925-6904. Email: zawadiculturalcollective@gmail.com. Black in the Valley is “funded and under the umbrella of Zawadi Cultural Collective, a nonprofit organization operating in the San Fernando Valley.” Zawadi Cultural Collective: tinyurl.com/2rtp7ut8. blackinthevalley.org. facebook.com/zawadiculturalcollective/
Juneteenth Celebration – Culver City: The city of Culver City’s opening ceremony begins with a rendition of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” and welcoming remarks, noon. City officials and area-wide invited dignitaries give remarks on Juneteenth, followed by LA Dance Posse performance and audience participation, live and DJ music, and family activities, through 3 p.m. Free admission. Veterans Memorial Park, 4117 Overland Ave., Culver City. Details: facebook.com/CityOfCulverCity
California African American Museum: A “Zine Workshop,” 2-3:30 p.m. Reservations suggested but not required, here (tinyurl.com/mc33w2eh). caamuseum.org/programs/talks-and-workshops. Also, KCRW Summer Nights event with the museum galleries open, 7-11 p.m; music from DJ Monalisa and DJ J. Rocc and dancing. Free/$30 donation. Make a reservation to reserve your spot (entry is first-come, first-served and subject to venue capacity; RSVP does not guarantee entry (caamuseum.org/programs/special-events). Free admission. Parking $20 before 5 p.m. (parking lot entrance at West 39th and South Figueroa streets). Museum location, corner of Exposition Boulevard and South Figueroa Street, Los Angeles (in Exposition Park). 213-744-7432. facebook.com/CAAMinLA/. caamuseum.org