The city of Akron plans to bring authenticity and meaning to its Juneteenth celebration week, which will start Saturday and run until June 22.
Live music, food sales, shopping opportunities and educational activities will run throughout several neighborhoods in honor of the national holiday, and dozens of Black-owned businesses will also attend the various celebrations.
What is Juneteenth?
Juneteenth, officially celebrated June 19, remembers the day when the last enslaved person in the United States became free in 1865. President Abraham Lincoln had signed the Emancipation Proclamation Jan. 1, 1863, which abolished slavery in Confederate states, but it was not until about 2½ years later that Union troops had stopped the last remaining slavery acts in the country when they arrived in Texas.
Also known as African American Emancipation Day, it became a federal holiday in 2021.
Downtown Akron event
Juneteenth is an important part of American and Akron history, and the events the city plans every year work to reflect that.
“Each year, we’ve had the honor of working with several members of the African American community in Akron to plan the downtown Juneteenth celebrations,” said Dominic Caruso, communications director for Downtown Akron Partnership, the group that organized the event lineup. “Through their efforts, advice and engagement, DAP has been able to plan the celebration in a way that responds to what the community wants and thinks is important about Juneteenth.”
The first event honoring Juneteenth in the city began 26 years ago. Downtown Akron Partnership has organized Juneteenth celebrations for four years now, and Caruso said the downtown events attract at least hundreds of people.
Juneteenth safety
Akron Mayor Shammas Malik and Akron Police Chief Brian Harding released a joint statement this week, assuring the public that upcoming gatherings in celebration of the Juneteenth holiday will be kept safe.
“We are excited to gather with our community this weekend for events celebrating the Juneteenth holiday, which recognizes the day in which many enslaved Americans finally received the news of their freedom in 1865,” the statement said. “It offers us a prime opportunity to recommit ourselves to the work of equity right here in our own community.
“In light of recent events in our city, which include the June 2 shooting on Kelly Avenue, we understand there are some concerns about public safety surrounding large gatherings in Akron.”
The police chief and mayor said there will be police presence at the following events at the request of the organizers:
- The Akron Black Coalition’s 26th Annual Juneteenth Festival from 1 to 7 p.m. Saturday at Stoner Hawkins Park.
- The Ward 5 Fifth Annual Juneteenth Festival noon to 5 p.m. Saturday at the Joy Park Community Center.
- The West Akron Parade from noon to 1 p.m. Sunday beginning at Buchtel Community Learning Center..
Juneteenth events in Akron
Saturday, June 15:
- 1-7 p.m. at Stoner Hawkins Park, 1201 S. Hawkins Ave: The Official 26th Annual Akron Juneteenth Celebration, hosted by the Akron Black Coalition and the City of Akron, will feature Black-owned businesses, a teen talent show and a balloon release.
- Starting at 4 p.m. at 848 W. Exchange St.: What’s Happening on the Bloc will have a DJ, Nigeran food and fireworks show. This event will mark the grand opening of The Freedom House, a space owned by the Black-empowerment group The Freedom BLOC.
Sunday, June 16:
- 1-5 p.m. at Kerr Park, 964 Nome Ave.: The West Akron parade and the area’s Juneteenth and Father’s Day Celebration will bring in guest speakers, food trucks and jazz, blues and old school R&B.
Monday, June 17:
- 6-7 p.m. at Odom Boulevard Branch Library, 600 Vernon Odom Blvd.: The Juneteenth – Celebrating the History and Importance workshop will discuss the holiday’s impact and significance.
Tuesday, June 18:
- 3-7 p.m. at Maple Valley Library, 1187 Copley Road: Let’s Celebrate Juneteenth, presented by the New Generation Drill Team and Flag Unit, will feature vendors, door prizes and the video, “What’s the meaning of Juneteenth?”
Wednesday, June 19:
- 1-7 p.m. at Akron Urban League, 440 Vernon Odom Blvd.: The Akron Urban League’s Juneteenth Celebration will highlight ST1XX, an Akron-based musician.
Thursday, June 20:
- 4-7 p.m. at John Brown House (550 Copley Road): The Honoring Our Past. Celebrating the Present. Renewing Our Faith in the Future event will feature activities at the Akron Zoo and John Brown House, along with a bus tour of Akron historical sites. Tour tickets cost $20 each.
June 21:
- 6-8 p.m. at The Knight Stage at the Akron Civic Theatre, 182 S. Main St.: Juneteenth Adult Mix & Mingle will allow adult residents to become more familiar with the city’s Black-owned businesses while building connections. Tickets are free but required.
June 22:
- 3 -8:30 p.m. at Cascade Plaza, located on Main Street between Huntington Tower and PNC Tower: The Juneteenth Celebration Saturday Family Celebration will offer food, games and vendor options for community members of all ages. The New Orleans-based Dirty Dozen Brass Band will perform at 8:30 p.m. in the Lock 3 Backyard.
Reporter Derek Kreider contributed to this report. Reporter Isabella Schreck can be contacted at ischreck@gannett.com.
