20th Juneteenth community celebration is Saturday, June 14

ROCHESTER — The

Rochester Branch of the NAACP

invites the community to its

20th Annual Juneteenth Celebration

, taking place from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 14, 2025, at Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park.

Juneteenth, observed annually on June 19, marks the end of slavery in the United States. This milestone event commemorates a defining moment in American history — June 19, 1865 — when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to inform enslaved African Americans of their freedom, more than two years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. While that moment marked the legal end of slavery, the struggle for full freedom, equity, and justice continues, the NAACP notes. Juneteenth remains a powerful reminder of progress achieved — and the ongoing work required to dismantle systemic injustice and build inclusive communities for all.

There is still time to secure a booth and become a sponsor of this community celebration

.

This year’s Juneteenth celebration introduces several new initiatives. In addition to Juneteenth learning and history, Rochester NAACP’s Call to Action, diverse food vendors, and games, the celebration will feature live cultural performances and community-centered programming.

New this year is the launch of “

Love Wins with Health

” — a collaboration between Mayo Clinic’s Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology (DLMP), Mayo Clinic Community Internal Medicine, and the Rochester Branch of the NAACP. This initiative provides free, on-site diagnostic testing to support healthier outcomes in the community. Attendees will have access to point-of-care testing for chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and kidney disease — with results available during the event and on-site consultations offered to guide next steps. The goal is to promote awareness, facilitate early detection, and encourage follow-up care for all interested adult community members.

Other new features include the inaugural Juneteenth basketball competition, a community food pantry where guests are encouraged to bring non-perishable items to share with those in need, a Black history exhibit, and a Juneteenth community expression shelter, highlighting art, stories and reflections from the community.

“Juneteenth is not just a celebration of freedom — it’s a call to remember, reflect, and act. It invites us to honor the struggles of the past, confront the challenges of the present, and build a future rooted in social justice,” said Walé Elegbede, president, Rochester Branch NAACP, in a press release.

• Juneteenth history and NAACP call to action
• Live cultural performances by Heart and Soul Drum Academy
• Live soul and funk music by Soul Train
• Diverse food vendors
• Booth vendors
• Inaugural basketball competition
• Love Wins with Health Initiative – Free health testing for chronic disease awareness and prevention
• Games and entertainment
• Inspiration from youth segment
• Black history exhibit
• Community expression shelter
• Community food pantry

For more information, visit

naacprochestermn.org/juneteenth.

Contributed / NAACP Rochester Branch

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