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12-02-2024 7:01 am • PDX and SEA Weather
MLK Breakfast
Four years into celebrating Juneteenth as a state and federal holiday, local communities are forging and maintaining new traditions. From the returning 8 Seconds Juneteenth Rodeo at the Expo Center to the returning F(Read)om Festival, PRIDE Juneteenth events and art demos and outdoor concerts, Portland is showing up for Juneteenth.
Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, marks the day in 1865 when Union soldiers landed in Galveston, Texas to enforce freedom for enslaved people throughout the state – a full two months after the Confederacy had surrendered, ending the Civil War.
Avel Gordly, Oregon’s first Black woman senator, led the charge to make Juneteenth a statewide holiday in 2001. Her efforts came to fruition in 2021.
VANCOUVER JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION: Join us for our 3rd Annual Juneteenth Freedom Celebration in Vancouver, featuring live musical performances by headliners LaRhonda Steele and JuJuba. There will be art displays, local vendors, community resources, and an interactive display featuring the history of Juneteenth. Esther Short Park, 605 Esther St Vancouver, WA
JUNETEENTH OREGON COMMUNITY PARADE AND FESTIVAL: The Annual Juneteenth Oregon celebration kicks off with a spirited parade, setting the stage for a festival with live music, entertainment, educational opportunities, and art. Attendees can savor delicious food, explore community resources, visit cultural booths, and enjoy a dedicated children’s area. This event is more than a festival; it’s a celebration of freedom, African American culture, and community. Also come see Nikki Brown Clown in the Annual Clara Peoples Freedom Trail Parade! The parade will start from King School and 11am, and the festival will take place in Lilis Albina park from 12-7pm. Lilis Albina Park, N Flint Avenue and Russell Street
JUNETEENTH COLLAGES OF FREEDOM - HONORING OUR ANCESTORS: Join us for a special program commemorating Juneteenth, where we'll explore the history of our heritage through the art of collage. Through the creative process, we'll reflect on the many instances through American history where Black people fought for the rights, justice and freedoms that many Americans enjoy today but that are still often denied to the majority of Black Americans. Come together with us as we pay homage to the legacy of Juneteenth, a day of remembrance and empowerment for all. Sellwood-Moreland Library, 7860 SE 13th Avenue
JUNETEENTH BLACK RODEO: Join the community to witness the bravest Black cowboys and girls face the toughest bulls as they try and win $60K in prize money. DJ One will be bringing the rythms and vibes. There will be vendors, some activities including roping instructions and a cowboy meet and greet (activities subject to change and event timing). Celebrate the legacy of Black cowboys who historians estimate represented 1 in 4 cowboys on the Western front in the 19th century. Join the Lace Up Joy community on this epic adventure! Veterans Memorial Coliseum 300 N Ramsay Way
JUNETEENTH BLACK FAMILY STORYTIME: Join us for a special Black Family Storytime celebrating Juneteenth and Black resilience! The African and African American experience comes alive for children from birth to age 6 (with their adult). Have fun with books and stories, songs, and movement in a positive and affirming environment. Black Storytime builds language and literacy skills your child needs to be ready for kindergarten. Attendance is limited and available on a first come, first served basis. Rockwood Library, 17917 SE Stark Street
WHERE THE HEART IS & REVIVING THE BLACK HEAD NOD SCREENING: Celebrate Juneteenth by watching a film at the Rockwood Library! Where the Heart Is and Reviving the Black Head Nod by local photographer, filmmaker, and educator Elijah Hasan. Hasan has emerged as one of the region's most daring and innovative artists. His work knows no boundaries or genres, as he moves between documentary, experimental, and narrative filmmaking. Join us for this 1 hour screening, and staff-led discussion. Rockwood Library, 17917 SE Stark Street
JUNETEENTH KIDS JUNK ORCHESTRA - A MUSICAL JOURNEY: Celebrate Juneteenth with us by enjoying the performance of original musical that takes you on a journey of different styles of music from blues to jazz to hip hop, and everything in between — through percussion. Kids Junk Orchestra is a performing history of percussion that travels to different regions to discover rhythms and music from their beginnings all the way to the present! Capitol Hill Library, 10723 SW Capitol Highway
JUNETEENTH FOOD AND HISTORY - TEXAS STYLE: Stones, Bones, and Black-Eyed Peas presents: Juneteenth Food, Texas Style! Join chef and owner of Finer Things Events and Catering, Michelle Guinn, with her daughter, Sable Askew and take a trip back into history. Enjoy a cooking demonstration of Great Uncle Nolan’s all-meat Texas chili, red drink, and homemade vanilla ice cream celebrating freedom and foods cooked and beloved by African American culinary connoisseurs. This event is first-come, first serve! Gresham Library, 385 NW Miller Avenue, Gresham
JUNETEENTH FREEDOM CELEBRATION AT THE MESO MAKERS MARKET: Join us for an unforgettable Juneteenth celebration on June 19th, 2024 from 11am-5pm at the MESO Makers Market! Enjoy food, shopping, lemonade, wine tasting by Stoney Wines, family activities, local vendors, and live music by the amazing Tahira Memory. All ages welcome! 376 NE Sumner Rd, Portland
FREE JUNETEENTH JAZZ CONCERT: Join us at CEI for a Juneteenth Celebration! We'll have live jazz music from the Lorna Baxter Septet and local art to peruse. All ages welcome! Free! If you haven't been inside our building yet but are curious about this spaced, this is a great opportunity to check it out. Center for Equity and Inclusion, 1801 NE Alberta St
JUNETEENTH WITH DON'T SHOOT PDX: Don’t Shoot Portland is celebrating ten years of grassroots organizing, art and activism! Join us in a community social justice art build and teach-in at PNCA with Vision Quilt on June 20th for free art making, screen printing and book giveaways. PNCA, 511 NW Broadway
JUNETEENTH FOLK SONGS AND STORIES FROM THE RURAL SOUTH: Newel Briggs sings folk songs accompanied by his guitar, mandolin and banjo. Raised by his grandparents, the first people in his family to be born free, Newel’s grandma sang songs such as “Loop de Loo,” “Miss Mary Mac,” “Ham Bone” and “Shortnin’ Bread.” Learn about the history behind the songs and the evolution of African American music through his stories. Kenton Library, 8226 N Denver Ave
A WALK IN MY SHOES—A PROGRAM IN CELEBRATION OF JUNETEENTH: In partnership with Word is Bond, Sneaker Week and the Portland Art Museum present an evening of shared storytelling between Word is Bond youth ambassadors and Portland-based designers. Inspired by In My Shoes walking tours, this Juneteenth program uses the shoe as a medium to amplify the creative voices and visions of Black men and their communities. 1219 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR
JUNETEENTH COMMUNITY TOWN HALL:This town hall event forum features candidate introductions, questions and comments on local political issues and our interactive meet & greet segment! The candidates are running for the district represented by North and Northeast Portland. Doors for the event will open at 6pm with candidate introductions at 6:30, and a candidate meet and greet at 7:30. This is a Free community event, all ages welcome, donations accepted. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Ken Boddie, political director, Koin 6 is our host moderator. Alberta Abbey, 126 Northeast Alberta Street
ANNUAL JUNETEENTH SKATE PARTY: NAAM’s 3 Day Juneteenth Celebration begins with our Annual Juneteenth Skate Party on Saturday, June 15 at Judkins Park from 12PM -5PM. Attendees will enjoy skates for rent, a variety of food truck vendors, music, and more. We will also have a variety of community product and service vendors in attendance to share with attendees new information, products, and services offered throughout the Pacific Northwest. Judkins Park, 2150 South Norman Street, Seattle
8TH ANNUAL JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION 2024: Join It Takes a Village to celebrate Juneteenth with soul food, arts and crafts, live entertainment, caricature art, balloon twisting, community resources, a vendor market, and a food bank. This event is free and open to all ages. Othello Playground, 4351 S Othello St, Seattle
CELEBRATING FATHERS JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION: NAAM’s 2nd Day of Juneteenth Celebration continues with our Father’s Day Celebration! Enjoy free admission on Father's Day for a special celebration of community and fatherhood. Bring the entire family to enjoy in-person interactive story times throughout the day as well as a Juneteenth film festival. We will have food from more local delicious food trucks and enjoy music from Seattle's own jazz band, Goody Bagg. Additionally, all fathers in attendance will receive a special Father's Day appreciation gift from NAAM. Northwest African American Museum, 2300 S Massachusetts St
JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION AT NAAM: NAAM’s 3rd Day of Juneteenth Celebration concludes with our Juneteenth Day Celebration. Attendees will enjoy free admission to the museum, a KIP Book giveaway, and community activities for the whole family to enjoy. If you haven't gotten a chance to experience the museum this year, Juneteenth is the ideal day to visit NAAM to see our two newest exhibits: Emmett Till & Mamie Till-Mobley: Let the World See and Interrupting Privilege. We will be hosting Juneteenth arts and crafts for kids as well as a KIP Book giveaway. Northwest African American Museum, 2300 S Massachusetts St, Seattle
SEATTLE JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION: Africatown Community Land Trust King County Equity Now present the city's longest standing Juneteenth gathering, a continuation of the decades-long annual tradition began by the late DeCharlene Williams in 1983. Join the legacy and commemorate Black freedom and Central District history through food, entertainment and community unity while strategizing how to continue to move forward. Jimi Hendrix Park, 2400 S Massachusetts St, Seattle
8TH ANNUAL JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION 2024: Join It Takes a Village to celebrate Juneteenth with soul food, arts and crafts, live entertainment, caricature art, balloon twisting, community resources, a vendor market, and a food bank. This event is free and open to all ages. Othello Playground, 4351 S Othello St, Seattle
JUNETEENTH NATIONAL DIGITAL EQUITY BIBLE STUDY: Join us on June 19, 2024, for the inaugural Juneteenth National Digital Equity Bible Study, an event dedicated to fostering digital equity and literacy within the Black community. This pivotal event will occur at the Greater Grace: Temple of David in Detroit, Michigan, and simultaneously streamed online via Zoom, ensuring accessible participation from coast to coast. Register for the livestream here.
BEFORE JUNETEENTH: EMANCIPATION CELEBRATIONS IN THE TENEMENTS: Before the Emancipation Proclamation, before Juneteenth, Black New Yorkers celebrated July 5th as Emancipation Day after the abolition of slavery in the state in 1827. Join us on June 25th on YouTube Live for a special conversation exploring the history and significance of July 5th in New York in the 19th century. Marquis Taylor, Lead Researcher of our newest exhibit, A Union of Hope: 1869, will share primary sources and research on the lead-up and eventual passage of emancipation laws in New York state. Register here.
