Lancaster County Juneteenth events to include block party, music festival, Landis Valley celebration

In 1865, enslaved people in parts of Texas found out the Emancipation Proclamation had been signed 2 1/2 years earlier. On June 19, 1865, Union Gen. Gordon Granger and his troops delivered the news of freedom in Galveston, Texas.

Today, we celebrate this event — and federal holiday — as Juneteenth, a commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States.

There are several events where families and communities can celebrate on and after the holiday next week around Lancaster County.

This listing will be updated as more events are announced. Have a Juneteenth event our readers should know about that’s not listed here? Email the details to features@lnpnews.com.

JUNETEENTH FILM SCREENING

• What: Screening of the film “Juneteenth: Faith & Freedom.”

• When: 6:30 p.m. Sunday, June 15.

• Where: Zoetropolis Cinema Stillhouse, 112 N. Water St., Lancaster

• Details: In the documentary, a Black man is troubled by the legacy of American slavery and the use of Christianity to justify it. He travels throughout Texas to learn how Juneteenth reveals faith and a fight for freedom. The screening is presented in conjunction with Juneteenth and Father’s Day by the Spice Of Life Foundation, the NAACP Lancaster Branch, the African American Cultural Alliance and Lancaster Juneteenth.

• Admission: Free.

• Info and tickets: zoetropolis.com.

STEVENS AND SMITH CENTER STORY TIME

• What: Juneteenth coffee hour and story time.

• When: 9-10 a.m. Thursday, June 19.

• Where: The Thaddeus Stevens & Lydia Hamilton Smith Center for History and Democracy, 13-15 E. Vine St., Lancaster.

• Details: LancasterHistory and the Lancaster branch of the NAACP will host the coffee hour and story time for the kids. There will be coffee and breakfast treats, and then two special guests will read “Juneteenth for Mazie” by Floyd Cooper and “All Different Now” by Angela Johnson. Both books are recommended for children 12 and under. Kids will make a craft to take home. Those interested in attending the city hall flag raising can join the group in a walk after the event.

• Admission: Free.

• Info: Those attending are asked to register in advance at lancasterhistory.org/events or by calling 717-392-4633.

FLAG-RAISING

• What: Juneteenth community flag-raising ceremony.

• Where: When: 10:45-1 p.m. Thursday, June 19.

• Where: Lancaster City Hall, 120 N. Duke St., Lancaster.

• Details: The Juneteenth flag will be raised over city hall.

LANDIS VALLEY VILLAGE & FARM MUSEUM

• What: Annual Juneteenth celebration.

• When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, June 19.

• Where: Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum, 2451 Kissel Hill Road, Lancaster.

• Details: An annual Juneteenth event that has in the past been held at Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology moves to Landis Valley in conjunction with the museum’s 100th anniversary celebration.

The event will be a living-history event, featuring historical reenactments and performances by the PA Past Players. Historical figures represented include congressman and abolitionist Thaddeus Stevens and his confidant, local businessperson Lydia Hamilton Smith; and authors and orators Frederick Douglass and Sharia Benn; along with Underground Railroad station masters across Lancaster County.

There will be live gospel choirs performing spirituals and songs of the emancipation era; vendors and food trucks spotlighting Black-owned businesses and traditional cuisine; and educational programming and exhibits that explore the Juneteenth’s impact on Pennsylvania.

The event is organized in partnership with the Lancaster Chapter of the National Action Network.

• Admission: Half-price due to sponsors. Tickets are $6 for adults, $5 for seniors 65+ and $4 for kids ages 4-11.

• Tickets and info: landisvalleymuseum.org/event/juneteenth.

BLOCK PARTY

• What: Juneteenth Block Party.

• When: 2-6 p.m. Thursday, June 19.

• Where: 400 block of Rockland Street, Lancaster.

• Details: The event, hosted by the Spice of Life Foundation, the NAACP Lancaster Branch and the African American Cultural Alliance, features music, food trucks, art, games, vendors and resource tables.

• Admission: Free.

• Info: aacal.org/events.

JAZZ FESTIVAL

• What: Lancaster’s first Freedom Jazz Festival.

• When: 3-7 p.m. Saturday, June 21.

• Where: Binns Park, 136 N. Queen St, Lancaster.

• Details: The spirit of Juneteenth and community will be celebrated with live jazz and other music, along with artists, food trucks and a beer garden. Music is by DJ Big AL 360, the Julia Kamanda Jazz Trio and Jazz Blu. Byan “King Prolifik” Hickman will do a live art demonstration. Bring a lawn chair or blanket to enjoy the music.

• Admission: Free.

• Info: visitlancastercity.com/event/freedom-jazz-festival.

CRISPUS ATTUCKS COMMUNITY CENTER

• What: Fourth annual Juneteenth Cultural Mixer.

• When: 3-7 p.m. Sunday, June 22.

• Where: Crispus Attucks Community Center, 407 Howard Ave., Lancaster.

• Details: The event is a day for food, music and fellowship. A&K Kreations and Atayah Woods will serve food and Spring House Brewing Company will bring their Fence Bustin’ pilsner, brewed in partnership with Community Action Partnership to celebrate the Negro League Lancaster centennial. ClubKng will spin tunes, Blind Date Band will perform live.

• Admission: Free.

• Info: caplanc.org/event/4th-annual-juneteenth-cultural-mixer.