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Get ready to lace up your sneakers and celebrate freedom at the 4th annual Juneteenth in Da Rock 5K walk/run!

This year’s event promises a vibrant and memorable route, taking participants past some of Little Rock’s most historic African American landmarks, including Arkansas Baptist College, Philander Smith University, and the Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site.

It will take place from 7 to 9 a.m. at the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center on June 21, 2025.

You can register online to join in the fun.

But the excitement doesn’t stop there! The MTCC is hosting a family-friendly street festival on historic West 9th Street in Downtown Little Rock. The festival will feature live music from Grammy winners Elle Varner and October London, along with local artists like Akeem Kemp, Afrodesia, and the Big John Miller Band.

Festival-goers can enjoy local vendors, food trucks, and activities that highlight the rich history and significance of Juneteenth.

Kids will have a blast in the expanded Kids Zone, complete with bounce and play inflatables, arts and crafts, face painting, and magical photo opportunities with animated characters.

For those interested in health and wellness, the MTCC will also host a Health and Wellness Village in the museum ballroom.

Local health and wellness vendors, mental health professionals, and other organizations will provide information about nutrition, preventative care, and overall wellness. Guests can participate in live demonstrations on fitness, mindfulness, and holistic practices.

Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in the United States, marking the day on June 19, 1865, when U.S. Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas, to announce the freedom of enslaved people, two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued by President Abraham Lincoln.

This pivotal moment sparked annual celebrations of liberation and resilience, which continue to this day.

Arkansans from across the state are invited to attend this joyous celebration.

Click here for more information on vendor booth registrations, volunteer sign-ups, and additional festival details.