Fargo, Moorhead observe Juneteenth with seperate celebrations

FARGO — Fargo and Moorhead will host Juneteenth celebrations, highlighting African American history and culture over the next few days.

Juneteenth marks the emancipation of slaves weeks after the end of the American Civil War in 1865. The actual day of this federal holiday is Wednesday, June 19.

062021.N.FF.JUNETEENTH.5.jpg — Students who attend Josef’s School of Hair Design braid hair for attendees at the Juneteenth Freedom Celebration on Saturday, June 19, 2021, at Lindenwood Park in Fargo. Alyssa Goelzer / The Forum

The fifth annual Fargo Juneteenth will be held from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, June 15, at Broadway Square in downtown Fargo.

The event is dedicated to African American history, the concept of Sankofa, which means looking back to help build a better future, and Afro-futurism, a genre of art and literature that blends African culture into science fiction and fantasy.

There will be an exhibit of historical documents and media clippings, examples of Afro-futurism, a hair show celebrating African American style and beauty and a number of vendors and food options.

The second annual Moorhead Juneteenth celebration will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday, June 17, at the Hjemkomst Center in Moorhead.

This event will feature live drumming, storytelling, dancing and singing, exhibits about African American history and culture, a craft area for kids, displays of Afro-futurism, vendors and tables with resource information and snacks.

By
John Lamb

For almost 30 years John Lamb has been covering arts and entertainment in the Red River Valley. He started writing for the High Plains Reader in 1997 and moved to The Forum in 2002. He is an Annenberg fellow, an occasional judge for talent shows and food contestants and co-hosts the weekly “Gardening Together: The Podcast.” He’s rubbed shoulders with Nirvana singer Kurt Cobain, drank with National Book Award winner Colm McCann, had coffee with Grammy-winning classical musician Peter Schickele and interviewed countless other artists, actors, musicians, writers and assorted interesting people. Contact John at jlamb@forumcomm.com.