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Juneteenth is this Friday, meaning celebrations are in store across the City of Columbia.
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The federal holiday brings about festivals, live performances, parades and much more in honor of Black history. Here’s what you should know about Juneteenth and the free events going on around Columbia this Friday and weekend:
What is Juneteenth?
Juneteenth is a federal holiday celebrating the effective end of slavery in America on June 19, 1865, which occurred 161 years ago.
It happened two years after the Emancipation Proclamation, the landmark executive order from President Abraham Lincoln that declared all enslaved persons in Confederate states to be free. It didn’t affect enslaved persons who were living in the Union at the time.
Juneteenth only became a federal holiday five years ago, back in 2021, when Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act. The celebration originated in Texas and eventually spread nationwide.
The holiday honors freedom, resilience and Black history while recognizing the ongoing fight for racial equality, according to History.com.
Juneteenth events in Columbia
Juneteenth Freedom Festival
At Finlay Park, on Saturday, June 20, there will be a festival celebrating Juneteenth. It’s the 10th annual Juneteenth Freedom Festival, and this year’s theme is “The Future We Owe Ourselves.”
There will be live entertainment, cultural performances, black-owned businesses, community resources, food vendors, youth activities, health and wellness initiatives, fireworks, educational experiences and opportunities for meaningful connection across generations.
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You can get tickets here.
Juneteenth at the CMA
Between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Friday, the Columbia Museum of Art is offering free admission to its featured exhibition as well as the CMA Collection in celebration of Juneteenth, honoring African American and Black artists whose art and creativity continue to contribute to shaping art and culture.
There will be a guided tour of the exhibition at 10 a.m., a panel discussion on public art and community at 11:00 a.m., presented by the Friends of African American Art & Culture in partnership with One Columbia, and a 2:00 p.m. tour of the CMA Collection highlighting works by Black artists.
If you’re interested in attending, register early on their website.
Juneteenth on the River
Right Direction Church International and The Compass CDC are hosting a Juneteenth celebration, promoting an evening of music, food, fashion, and fellowship, honoring the legacy of African American resilience and liberation. This event will feature live music, spoken word, food, family-friendly entertainment and a vendor marketplace showcasing local businesses, artists and organizations.
The event occurs between 5:30 p.m. and 9 p.m on Friday. The address is 1705 Shivers Rd, Columbia.
Juneteenth Celebration Hopkins
On Friday, a free Juneteenth celebration will be held on at the Historic Harriet Barber House. There will be vendors, exhibits, food trucks and more between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m.
There will also be performances from Zeb Harrison and the Sounds of Praise, a legendary shout brass band, and the Namu Drum Company, African drummers bringing rhythm and energy.
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The address is 116 Barberville Loop, Hopkins.