Juneteenth is a holiday celebrated on June 19, commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. Also called Emancipation Day, Freedom Day or Jubilee Day, Juneteenth is the commemoration of June 19, 1865, the day enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, learned that they were free.
Here is a guide to the Lehigh Valley region’s Juneteenth celebrations and events:
Allentown Juneteenth Celebration: Music and art, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. June 6, Allentown Art Museum; Black Excellence Gala, 6-11 p.m. June 7, MainGate Night Club; Flag football tournament, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. June 8-9, J. Birney Crum; The Little Mermaid, 7 p.m. June 14, Cedar Beach Pool; Basketball classic at Cedar Beach Park, 4-10 p.m. June 14 and 8 a.m.-8 p.m. June 15-16; Juneteenth Celebration, 2-8 p.m. June 15, Cedar Beach Park, 2600 Parkway Blvd.; Juneteenth Block Party and Pageant, 2-8 p.m. June 19, Hamilton Street.
JUNETEENTH LEHIGH VALLEY (JLV), a local nonprofit organization was formulated to organize events to celebrate the liberation of enslaved Africans, has the following events planned:
June 9: Flag-raising ceremonies in Bethlehem, 3 p.m. City Hall Plaza, followed by a gospel concert; 5 p.m. Easton, Center Square, followed by a gospel concert.
June 11: Juneteenth Dining Experience, 7 p.m., Bayou Restaurant in Easton. Dining experience infused with jazz music and poetry readings.
June 12: West Ward Association farmers market Juneteenth Celebration, 3-7 p.m., Paxinosa Elementary School, Easton. Shop fresh local and international produce and meals, grab a bite to eat, and join neighbors for music, activities, and a celebration of community at our outdoor market.
June 13: The Sigal Museum, 342 Northampton St., Easton, hosts a Black Beauty Event that highlights Black hair, product vendors, skincare, and fashion show. Tickets can be purchased online at www.Juneteenthlv.org, $10 per person.
June 15: Music and Children’s Festival, noon-7 p.m., ArtsQuest at SteelStacks Campus. Three stages, each showcasing a diverse lineup of music representing a kaleidoscope of genres including R&B, jazz, reggae, plus a special tribute to 50 years of hip-hop; marketplace featuring over 40 Black-owned businesses offering a tantalizing array of ethnic foods, artisanal goods, and unique products.
June 16: Juneteenth Parade, 3-5 p.m. Northampton Street, Easton. Participants representing agencies from Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton, leaders from the African American community, colorful floats and decorated vehicles, marchers and performers.
June 19: JLV supports the Cops and Kids reading program of Bethlehem, Northampton Community College Fowler Campus, 511 E 3rd St. Master storyteller Baba Wague Diakite retells an authentic African tale the way he learned it as a child in “The Hat Seller and the Monkeys,” 11 a.m. Members of the Liberty High School Cops ’n’ Kids Club share the story “I Believe I Can” by Grace Byers, a beautifully illustrated inspiration to motivate children of all backgrounds with a positive message, 3 p.m.
June 19: Juneteenth and Black history with a tribute to the National Negro Baseball league with the Iron Pigs, 7:05 p.m. Coca-Cola Park, Allentown.
Stroudsburg Little Bethel Historical Association Juneteenth Celebration and Fish Fry Fundraiser: noon, June 15, Stroudsburg Little Bethel,113 North 3rd St., Stroudsburg. Tribute to ancestors and the veteran United States Colored Troops who were members of the Stroudsburg Little Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church congregation with live entertainment along with words from local elected officials.
Easton Farmers Market commemorates Juneteenth, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., June 15.
Juneteenth Celebration at Pottsgrove Manor: 11 a.m., June 14. Story focused on Black history in America and the incredible stories and people who made that history happen. 100 W King Street, Pottstown.
Juneteenth at Mercer Museum, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. June 15, speakers, live performances, musicians, DJ, food trucks, vendors and artisans, family-friendly-crafts and activities. Rain or shine. Free. 84 S. Pine St., Doylestown. mercermuseum.org
Martin Luther King & Coretta Scott King Memorial Project Juneteenth Celebration and Cornerstone Awards June 19, The Freedom Memorial, 4th and Martin Luther Ling Drive, Allentown. The ceremony begins at 9 a.m.
African American Museum Juneteenth Block Party, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., June 19, African American Museum, 701 Arch St, Philadelphia. Outdoor festival, featuring entertainment, games and more. Free admission to the museum with online registration. aampmuseum.org.
Please Touch Museum celebrates Juneteenth June 19 with special performances, activities and workshops. Admission is $229 and reservations are required. The museum is at 4231 Avenue of the Republic, Philadelphia. Pleasetouchmuseum.org.
