Celebrate Juneteenth at these Central Florida events

ORLANDO, Fla. – Next Wednesday is the holiday known as Juneteenth and this year marks nearly 160 years of freedom.

Slavery was federally outlawed when the Emancipation Proclamation was signed by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863, freeing all captive African Americans on paper, according to the Associated Press. However, there were some Southerners who refused to relay this news to slaves or comply with the order.

As a result of this, some African Americans remained enslaved in some parts of the South until two and a half years later, when Union troops arrived in Texas on June 19, 1865, to enforce the emancipation order.

This is the first time that news the war had ended reached the remainder of the slaves in Texas, and true freedom and celebration begun. Slavery was permanently abolished when Georgia ratified the 13th Amendment six months later.

Established as an official federal holiday by President Biden in 2021, the name of the holiday combines the words “June” and “nineteenth” to honor the historic day. Juneteenth is an important reminder of ongoing fight for human rights and equality, according to the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Here are some of the events happening this month in Central Florida to commemorate Juneteenth. If you know of one that isn’t listed here, feel free to send us an email at web@wkmg.com.

City of Orlando’s Juneteenth Celebration

• When: Saturday, June 15, at 2 p.m.
• Where: East Plaza Lounge at Camping World Stadium
• What: Food, live music, cultural dancing and celebration.

Juneteenth Arts and Cultural Festival

• When: Saturday, June 15, at 10 a.m.
• Where: Cocoa Riverfront Park
• What: Live entertainment, food trucks, vendors, arts and crafts, kids’ activities, community awards and more.

Juneteenth Block Party

• When: Saturday, June 15, at 5 p.m.
• Where: Sanford Civic Center
• What: Food trucks, vendors, live music and a DJ.

Kissimmee Juneteenth Festival

• When: Saturday, June 15, at 12 p.m.
• Where: Kissimmee Civic Center
• What: Community celebration of African American culture, featuring food, live music and craft vendors.

Clermont Juneteenth Celebration

• When: Saturday, June 15, at 5 p.m.
• Where: Clermont Waterfront Park
• What: Cultural and educational celebration of freedom, showcasing ethnic art, music, vendors and authentic cuisine.

Daytona Juneteenth Community Festival

• When: Saturday, June 15, at 11 a.m.
• Where: Midtown Cultural and Education Center in Daytona Beach
• What: Food, vendors, live entertainment, health fair, arts and crafts, quilting, pound cake contest, youth pool splash and Sankofa African American Traveling Museum.

Central Florida Juneteenth Celebration and Fireworks Show

• When: June 22-23, from noon to 6 p.m.
• Where: Lake Lily Park in Maitland
• What: Live music, fireworks, global cuisine, vendors, on-site museum and kids’ activities.

Juneteenth Concert in Longwood

• When: Wednesday, June 19, at 5 p.m.
• Where: Longwood Community Building
• What: Live music, dance floor, free food, vendors and more.

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