Juneteenth 2024

Juneteenth celebrations in Harrisburg just keep getting bigger.

This year, the organizers of Juneteenth HBG are introducing the city’s first-ever parade to recognize the holiday and honor local Black history.

“I’m excited,” said Airis Smallwood, parade organizer and Juneteenth HBG committee member. “It’s been a dream of mine to see this happen.”

This marks Young Professionals of Color-Greater Harrisburg’s sixth year hosting city-wide, weeklong events for the holiday, including educational opportunities, concerts and festivals.

The parade, which will march around the state Capitol on Saturday, June 14, is the newest addition to the lineup. Dance groups, bands, Black Greek-letter organizations, nonprofits, businesses and officials will participate in the parade at noon.

Smallwood is especially happy that the parade will bring awareness to the history of Harrisburg’s Old Eighth Ward, a historic Black neighborhood that was razed to build the Capitol complex.

“A lot of people aren’t aware of the Eighth Ward and the things that the people who lived there contributed to the city of Harrisburg,” she said.

Throughout the week of June 14 to 21, there will be plenty of other opportunities to celebrate the national holiday.

The organization’s biggest event is on the actual holiday, Thursday, June 19, featuring live music, vendors, food and family activities for Juneteenth Jubilee at Soldiers & Sailor’s Grove Park at the Capitol.

“Harrisburg deserves this celebration. It is something fun and educational and celebrates the Black community,” said YPOC co-founder Dr. Kimeka Campbell. “We deserve to have fun.”

The day before, there will be a Juneteenth Summit at Harrisburg University, where speakers Texas Congressman Al Green, Corey Minor Smith and Michael Eric Dyson will discuss economics and political engagement.

Additionally, the team has planned several community and cultural events, like a special Juneteenth SoMa Block party on June 20, a “Hip-Hop & Harmony” concert at H*MAC on June 21 and a tailgating event at the Kendrick Lamar and SZA “Grand National Tour” at the Hershey Stadium on June 16.

Everyone is invited to Juneteenth events and encouraged to learn more about Harrisburg’s significance in the historic fight to freedom for the Black community, Campbell said. She highlighted the fact that the commonwealth was the first state in the country to adopt partial abolition laws.

“It’s important to celebrate what we’ve accomplished as a people,” Campbell said of the Black community. “It is something to celebrate, despite the issues; people have persevered.”

For more information about Juneteenth HBG and to get tickets for events, visit their website.

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