Juneteenth Celebration

Celebrated annually, Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when Union General Gordon Granger read federal orders in Galveston, Texas, that all previously enslaved Black people in the state were free. Today, Juneteenth commemorates African American freedom and emphasizes education and achievement. It is a day marked with celebrations and special gatherings.

Join us at the Park for a jubilant Juneteenth Celebration curated by Historian Darrell Stover! Get ready to groove to live music, indulge in delicious bites from food trucks, and explore vibrant vendors showcasing their work. It’s a day of unity, culture and joy for all!

Schedule

The following activities will take place at the Great Lawn Pavilion.

• 1 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. – Chinfloo Cultural Heritage Procession and Dance Performance
• 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. – Welcome, Libation and Proclamation
  • “Lift Every Voice and Sing” – Mary D. Williams
  • “History Speaks on Freedom” Talk – Dr. Freddie Parker
  • “Songs of Freedom” – Mary D. Williams
• 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. – Elders of Djembe Performance – Bradley Simmons, Ngoma Woolbright, Bashir Shakur, Teli Shabu, and  Khalid Saleem
• 3:30 p.m. – 4 p.m. – Vocal Performance – Nigel Jones
• 4:15 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. – Poetic Songstress Performance – Priscilla Miller
• 5:30 – 7 p.m. – Funk of Freedom Performance – Plunky and Oneness of Juju

The following activities will take place along Park Street and in Park Street Courts.

• 1 p.m. – 7 p.m. – The Village – Local Black Artisans
• 2 p.m. – 8 p.m. – Food Trucks (Royal Cheesecake and Varieties, TrySeafood and more to come!)
• 3 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. – Musical Performance – Dontez Harris, Sax with Thomasi McDonald, Preston Barnes and Allen Redd
• 4:45 p.m. – 5:15 p.m. – Folksinger/Storyteller Performance – Jasme Kelly

Know Before You Go

• This event is free and open to the public.
• This event is suitable for all ages.

Inclusion Services

Downtown Cary Park strives to provide a positive experience for all guests. Our goal is to accommodate you and meet your individual needs. Please fill out the event accessibility form here and a staff member will be in contact with you.