Juneteenth is a celebration that commemorates the end of the enslavement of African-American people in the United States.
It marks the day, June 19th, 1865, when the Emancipation Proclamation (which had been issued on January 1st, 1863) was finally read to enslaved African–Americans in Texas.
It took more than two years for word of freedom to get to enslaved people, and freedom is still a process. Some of the Juneteenth events are calls to action, and all encourage community involvement.
We will list Juneteenth Celebrations in the Triangle, as soon as they’re announced. Following are the celebrations that have been announced for 2022, and we expect many more to be added to this list shortly.
Annual NC Juneteenth Celebration
The NC Juneteenth Celebration takes place on the Golden Belt Campus, 800 Taylor Street, Durham, on Saturday, June 18th, 2022. (Please note the new location.) Enjoy live music, vendors, kids’ activities and more. There will also be a BBQ competition on Sunday, June 19th, 2022.
Capital City Juneteenth Celebration
Last year was the first year for the Capital City Juneteenth Celebration, a collection of events in Raleigh over several days. Here are some highlights from last year:
- Juneteenth Celebration at NC Museum of History
- Juneteenth Celebration on grounds of the State Capitol
- Juneteenth Celebration at Dix Park
So, far, for 2022, we know that Dix Park will be hosting an expanded Juneteenth celebration on Saturday, June 18th, 2022, from 1 to 5 p.m. It will be a free event at Harvey Hill and the Chapel Event Center at Dix Park, 1030 Richardson Drive, Raleigh.
The celebration will feature live music, spoken words, children’s activities, vendors, food trucks, and performances for children.
Juneteenth Poetry Workshops for Teens
Durham Parks and Recreation’s Cultural Heritage Programs Unit is hosting two poetry workshops for teens (ages 13-18) to celebrate Juneteenth. The workshops take place June 18th, 2022, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., and from 1 to 4 p.m., at Leigh Farm Park, 370 Leigh Farm Road, Durham.
Teens will join local poet, Kian Furnace, and Cultural Heritage Parks staff, and learn about Juneteenth through the poetry of African American writers. Teens will participate in a libation ceremony, tour Leigh Farm Park, and capture their experiences through their own poetry.
Free, but pre-registration is required.
Apex Juneteenth Celebration
The Apex Juneteenth Celebration takes place on Saturday, June 18th, 2022, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., at The Depot, 220 N. Salem Street, Apex. It will feature performances, family activities, food trucks and more.
Oberlin Village 5K and Pop-Up Museum
The Friends of Oberlin Village are presenting the 1st Annual Oberlin Village Heritage 5K Run/Walk and Pop-Up Museum on Saturday, June 18th, 2022, at Dix Park, at Harvey Hill. The funds raised will help support Friends of Oberlin Village in raising public awareness and preserving Oberlin’s rich history, contributions and achievements. Oberlin Village is the only known surviving freedman’s village in North Carolina that grew out of a Free Black settlement during Reconstruction.
The 5K will start at 8 a.m., and costs $40-$45. There’s a Kids Dash at 9 a.m., and that costs $5. The pop-up museum will take place from 8 to 11 a.m. and is free.
Father’s Day X Juneteenth Play Date
Bring the kids to Motorco, 723 Rigsbee Avenue, Durham, for Father’s Day X Juneteenth Play Date on Saturday, June 18th, 2022, at 1 p.m. The event features a live music concert by Pierce Freelon, who has just released a children’s book, “Daddy Daughter Day,” to accompany his song of the same name. The family event will also feature interactive puppetry by Jeghetto, kids’ activities and games with JessWay and a cotton candy bar from Wonderpuff.
Juneteenth Celebration in Wake Forest — Portraits of the Past
The Town of Wake Forest and the Northeast Community Coalition are presenting Juneteenth — Portraits of the Past on Saturday, June 18th, 2022, from 12 to 3:30 p.m. This is a free event that takes place at The Dubois Center, 518 N. Franklin St., Wake Forest, NC.
Free and open to the public, this year’s Juneteenth Celebration will begin at 11:15 a.m. with a Freedom Walk that begins and ends at The Dubois Center, 518 N. Franklin St. Participants are encouraged to begin assembling for the march at 11 a.m.
The day’s activities will highlight the freeing of the slaves in Texas two years after the passing of the Emancipation Proclamation.
Immediately following the Freedom Walk there will be food, activities, music, and more.
Cary’s Juneteenth Celebration
Town of Cary is holding a Juneteenth celebration on Sunday, June 19th, 2022, at the old library site, 310 S Academy Street, from 3 to 4:30 p.m.
In addition, watch The Fire of Freedom performed by Mike Wiley at The Cary Arts Center on Sunday, June 19th, at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $10.
Also, the Cary Arts Center will be lit of red, yellow and green from June 17th to 19th.
Historic Stagville
Stagville State Historic Site, at 5828 Old Oxford Highway in Durham, contains the remnants of one of the largest plantations of the pre-Civil War South. It offers programs all year that educate the public about the life of the enslaved people who lived there. Historic Stagville is offering Emancipation tours every Saturday in June, 2022. They are free, but registration is required.
Aya Shabu says
Please include in your listing the Juneteenth celebration at the Hayti Heritage Center on 804 Old Fayetteville St. in Durham, NC on Friday, June 18th from 3 -9 pm hosted by the Fayetteville St. Corridor Fellows, e Connected, Village of Wisdom, and Hayti Heritage Center.