BEND, Ore. — Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day or Black Independence Day, is back in Bend.
“We use it as a celebration for the black community to come together and celebrate our perseverance and the fact that we’re still here, thriving and building community,” said co-organizer Josie Stanfield.
The Fathers Group, which typically puts on the event, canceled celebrations at Drake Park in Bend, citing a “volatile political climate” and racial threats.
Stanfield agreed with the reasoning behind the initial cancellation, but says fear will not stop this year’s event.
“We actually organized the first Juneteenth in Drake Park in 2020, and as you know, it was also very politically tense at that time,” Stanfield said. “So it’s kind of like a full circle moment for us. We don’t have a lot of fear. We haven’t received any threats or negative comments so far. Hopefully it stays that way. Of course, it could change.”
This year’s local Juneteenth theme is Unbothered. Unbossed. Unbroken.
“We want to change the narrative this year and make people know that black celebration should be about joy and community and everybody coming together no matter what,” Stanfield said. “Your race is just coming together and celebrating the existence of black people in a country that didn’t want us to exist.”
Juneteenth 2025 is June 20, 3-10 p.m. indoors this year at Open Space Event Studios, supported partly by the City of Bend.
“Even if it wasn’t an official holiday anymore, we would still celebrate because we did before it was,” She said. “So, yeah, I think the theme of this year is definitely just being unapologetically joyous in black, regardless of who’s telling us we shouldn’t be.”
Those with Open Space Event Studios told Central Oregon Daily they are excited to host Juneteenth 2025.
The City of Bend released this statement on its Juneteenth sponsorship:
“This year, the City is sponsoring Juneteenth in Bend as it has done for the last few years. The City is not involved in the planning, hosting, or security of the event.”
“The City Council has identified “Official City Events” in the Council Policy On Discretionary Funding/Sponsorship Of Community Programs, Services And Events, including Juneteenth. The celebration of Juneteenth in Bend holds community interest because of its history and value to the local Black community. The City of Bend has committed to sponsoring the event with funding and in-kind support.”
“The City of Bend is committed to supporting community-initiated and organized events through our Sponsorship Program. Supporting Juneteenth is part of the City’s ongoing work to foster a community that is welcoming to all.”
“We encourage reaching out to Central Oregon Earthseeds, who are organizing this year’s event, for more information.”
– City of Bend
Check out was real simple, can't wait for the tote bag