Concerts, art exhibits, scavenger hunts, historical presentations, film screenings and more are planned in celebration of Juneteenth, the date 158 years ago when federal troops went to Galveston, Texas to ensure all enslaved people were free.
Residents can join the following events:
Juneteenth Interfaith Art Exhibit: From 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. daily, artwork from several different faiths commemorating Juneteenth is on display at the Washington D.C. Temple Visitors Center, located at 9900 Stoneybrook Drive in Kensington. Learn more.
Friday, June 16
Juneteenth Flag Craft: Families can make a flag at the Long Branch Library from 3 to 4 p.m. Attendees will pain popsicle sticks in the traditional red, green, and black colors and then glue them together to make a Juneteenth National Independence Day flag. All materials will be supplied. Long Branch Library is located at 8800 Garland Avenue in Silver Spring. Learn more.
Montgomery County African American Living Legends Awards: The county honors distinguished individuals who have helped shape the cultural heritage of the African American community. The awards program takes place at 7 p.m. Friday, June 16 at the Black Rock Center for The Arts, located at 12901 Town Commons Drive in Germantown.
Saturday, June 17
Juneteenth Journey to Freedom: The County’s annual celebration takes place Saturday, from noon to 10 p.m. and includes activities for the whole family. There will be dance performances, art exhibits, film screenings, book talks and more. The festival takes place from noon to 10 p.m. at the Black Rock Center for the Arts in Germantown. Some parking is available at the Center. Shuttle buses will be available from Montgomery College Germantown Campus and Seneca Valley High School beginning at noon. Learn more.
Kensington’s 2nd Annual Juneteenth Celebration: Enjoy live music, food trucks, historical presentations and more from noon to 4 p.m. at the St. Paul Park located at St. Paul Street and Plyers Mill Road. Learn more.
Week of June 18 – June 25
Black Business Expo: More than 60 black owned businesses are featured in the expo on Sunday, June 18. The Expo takes place at Veterans Plaza in Downtown Silver Spring from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Learn more.
A Celebration of Diverse Voices: The Glen Echo Park Partnership for Arts & Culture and the Washington Revels present eight days of live music, conversation and arts activities for all ages to commemorate the end of slavery in America and the rich history of the Civil Rights era in the region. Many events are held throughout the region. On Sunday, June 25th a festival takes place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Glen Echo Park located at 7300 MacArthur Boulevard. Learn more.
Rockville Scavenger Hunt: Learn the local history of African Americans in Rockville by participating in a scavenger hunt starting Sunday, June 18 and ending June 30 using the mobile app Goosechase.com. Lean more.
How Freedom Came to Maryland: Learn how emancipation in Maryland differed from other states Wednesday, June 21 at 7 p.m. Peerless Rockville presents a Juneteenth program at Jerusalem-Mt. Pleasant UMC. Admission is free but registration is required. Learn more.
Annual Scotland Juneteenth Heritage Festival: A three-day celebration featuring music, an interfaith service, 5K run, classic car show, baseball game and film festival is scheduled for June 17-19. The proceeds from the events will be used to rebuild Scotland A.M.E. Zion Church, whose foundation on Seven Locks Road in Potomac was destroyed during an extreme rainstorm in the summer of 2019. The festival opens June 17 with a celebration at Bethesda Blues & Jazz Club. It continues on June 18 with events at Cabin John Regional Park and Cabin John Mall. On June 19, events will be held at Cabin John Mall, the AFI Theater and Povich Field. The events end with a Scotland Freedom Day Concert featuring Tarrus Riley at the Howard County Fairgrounds. Check here for the schedule and other information.
Clarence “Pint” Israel Juneteenth Classic: Big Train takes on the Gaithersburg Giants at 7 p.m. at the Shirley Povich Field. The game honor Israel, a Rockville resident who became a star of the Negro Leagues in the 1940s and the 1954 Scotland Eagles from Montgomery’s Black Sandlots. Register in advance for 4 p.m. youth baseball clinic. Learn more.
View this post on Instagram
