Black history will once again be celebrated beyond Black History Month in Gainesville as the city and community come together to celebrate the emancipation of slaves in America.
Billed as “Journey to Juneteenth: Florida Emancipation to National Celebration,” it will launch May 20 from 10 to 11 a.m. at City Hall, 200 E. University Ave. The event will feature a “flag-raising ceremony and a proclamation recognizing Florida’s actual emancipation date — May 20, 1865 — when Africans in Tallahassee first received word of their freedom, more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation,” according to a city of Gainesville press release.
The month-long celebration also will include the following events:
- Florida Emancipation Celebration, May 24, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Cotton Club Museum and Cultural Center, 837 SE Seventh Ave., Gainesville. Free.
- “Silver Linings” Community Day, May 31, noon-4 p.m. Harn Museum of Art, 3259 Hull Road, UF campus. Free.
- GNV Film Festival, June 7, 6-10 p.m. “When the Music Was Cheap and Darn Near Free,” 6 p.m., Hippodrome Cinema; “Bridging Troubled Waters: The Life of Coach Jessie Heard: Lincoln High and Buchholz High School,” 6:30 p.m., Hippodrome Cinema; “Black Panther,” 8 p.m., Bo Diddley Plaza. All events are free.
- Honoring the Past, Living in the Present, Building for the Future, June 18, noon-8 p.m., Santa Fe College Blount Center, 530 W. University Ave. Free
- Juneteenth Breakfast and Black Music Month Celebration, June 19, 7:30-9 a.m., Cotton Club Museum and Cultural Center. Ticketed event ($35).
- “An Evening with Avery*Sunshine” Juneteenth Concert, June 19, 6-9 p.m., Bo Diddley Plaza. Free.
- Storytime at Depot Park, June 20, 10:30-11 a.m., Depot Park. Free.
- Freedom Fest 2025, June 21, 3-9 p.m., Bo Diddley Plaza. Free.
- Tha Cookout: A Juneteenth & Fatherhood Celebration, June 22, noon-6 p.m. (Location TBD).
Sponsoring this year’s event are the city of Gainesville and the Visionaires Club. Additional details about 2025 Journey to Juneteenth events can be found at tinyurl.com/4hs2tdbv.
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