June 19th marks Juneteenth.
Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021 when then-President Joe Biden signed it into law. It commemorates the day June 19,1865, when slaves in Galveston, Texas, received the news of freedom.
Mainers will be celebrating the holiday across the state on Thursday.
In Westbrook at Riverbank Park, the Juneteenth celebration includes food trucks, music, dance, drummers and more. Celebrations start at 11 a.m.
In York, there’s a Juneteenth walking tour focused on the history of slavery in York County. Walkers will hear stories from the colonial era through the Emancipation Proclamation. It kicks off at 1 p.m. at the Old York Historical Society.
In Nobleboro, there’s a “Juneteenth: A Celebration of American agriCULTURE.” This four-course meal will be held at Wanderwood, an organic farm. Cuisine will honor the legacy of Black Americans in agriculture. It starts at 6 p.m. on Thursday.
In Portland at the Victoria Mansion, the mansion will tell more than two dozen stories about people that were enslaved by the mansion owners. It’s a free event in observance of the holiday from 10 a.m. through 5 p.m.
In Ellsworth, you can find the Juneteenth Commemoration: Caring for Ourselves and Each Other. This will feature drumming, yoga, tai chi, massages and kids’ activities.
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