8 ways to celebrate Juneteenth 2022 in and around Rochester

Juneteenth, which happens on June 19, is a time to mark the emancipation of Black slaves and honor Black contributions to American society. Locally, there are a few opportunities to commemorate the holiday.

Looking for ways to mark Juneteenth in Rochester? Here are eight events that offer a mix of entertainment, education and celebration.

2022 Rochester Juneteenth Festival

Rochesterians can celebrate Juneteenth with a full day of outdoor fun.

The 2022 Rochester Juneteenth Festival is from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, June 18, at Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park, 353 Court St., in downtown Rochester.

Bandice Black will host. The festival will feature food, vendors, speeches and live entertainment, including from headliner The Jimmie Highsmith Jr., Band, a performance that is sponsored by the Rochester International Jazz Festival. Special guests include Garth Fagan Dance, the Rochester City School District Marching Band, Teen Empowerment, Rissa Williams, the Ravettes and more.

Garth Fagan Dance performs at 4.30 p.m.

ROC Freedom Riders Annual Bike Ride

This bike event is expected to draw hundreds of cyclists to the city.

The ROC Freedom Riders Annual Bike Ride is set to begin at 10 a.m., Saturday, June 18, at MLK Jr. Memorial Park, just before the aforementioned Rochester Juneteenth Festival.

The 10-mile route will take participants through the city in celebration and support of "Black culture to commemorate Juneteenth," according to the event invite.

The bike ride is free. Register on Eventbrite. For more details, check the ROC Freedom Riders Instagram and Facebook accounts. (Search for username @RocFreedomRiders.)

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Free admission to the Strong Museum

Enjoy free admission and parking at the Strong Museum National Museum of Play.

The offer is good during Juneteenth Celebration from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 18, at the museum, 1 Manhattan Square Drive, Rochester.

Planned events include special live appearances from child-favorite Miss Sweet Potato Pie and from Garth Fagan Dance. Local Black businesses also will be there, such as Hive Creative Works, Boundless Connections, Conkey Cruisers, and Sugary Delights. Black history educational programming will be part of the day's offerings.

For more information, see the museum's website.

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Dot it for the Culture: Juneteenth Day Party by the Beach

If you're interested in more of a grown-person party vibe for Juneteenth, this even might be it.

Do it for the Culture is hosting a Party by the Beach from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 19, at Taste of the Bahamas, 4705 Lake Ave., Rochester. 

Enjoy food and drink specials. There's a 360-degree photo booth from Nii Mayor Photography for memorable snaps. Network and meet new people.

Do it for the Culture also says it will honor some local Black entrepreneurs with awards presented by publicist Rashad J. Smith, known as Radical Rashad, and The Beat 105.5 FM. Music by DJ JK of Powa Squad International.

Networking kicks off at noon. The Do it for the Culture entrepreneur awards presentation is scheduled for 1 p.m. and the party begins at 1:30 p.m.

Tickets are $25, nonrefundable. Find them on sale at Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/roc-juneteenth-day-party-by-the-beach-do-it-for-the-culture-tickets-333081033337.

ROC Juneteenth Run/Walk

Try this event if you're interested in running or walking in a race — or if you want to cheer people on as they do so.

The 6th annual ROC Juneteenth Run/Walk is at 1 p.m. Sunday, June 19, and the race begins at the Riverbend Shelter at Genesee Valley Park, which is on the eastern bank of the Genesee River. (Find a map here. Try the Elmwood Avenue entrance to get to the shelter.)

According to event organizers, funds raised will support the construction of an outdoor civil rights classroom known as Heritage Park.

Registration is online-only and is $25 in advance and $30 the day of the race. The race-day packet is available for pick-up at the Riverbend Shelter from 11 a.m. right until the start of the competition at 1 p.m.

Virtual participation is available. More information, including parking and race instructions, is available at https://juneteenth5k.itsyourrace.com/event.aspx?id=9320.

Free community day at the Eastman Museum

The George Eastman Museum is extending free admission to the community in honor of Juneteenth.

A free community day is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 19, at the museum, 900 East Ave., Rochester.

Attendees can view the closing of "Joshua Rashaad McFadden: I Believe I'll Run On," an exhibit that examines Black identity through photography.

There will also be two free film screenings in the Dryden Theatre:

• 1 p.m. "The Throwaways," which explores the "impact of police brutality and mass incarceration on Black people";

• 3:30 p.m. "Amazing Grace," which "follows Aretha Franklin as she records her 1972 live gospel album."

More information is available by checking https://www.eastman.org/event/free-all-special-events-family-events/free-community-day-juneteenth.

Before you go: Photographer Joshua Rashaad McFadden exhibit explores how images impact race and identity

Pittsford Community Juneteenth Celebration 2022

Join in on the festivities from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, June 19, at 22 N. Main St., Pittsford.

The Black Storytellers League of Rochester and the First Inversion Choir are scheduled to perform. There will be speakers, including former Pittsford Village Mayor and Historian Robert Corby; Pittsford's youth group Diversifying Pittsford; and Herb Smith.

Honoring Juneteenth at the Genesee Country Village and Museum

Enjoy a day of historic interpretation at Honoring Juneteenth from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 18, at the Genesee Village and Museum, 1410 Flint Hill Road, Mumford. 

As attendees explore the village, they can learn the experience of a Black family living in Western New York in the 1860s, according to the museum. The schedule includes family-friendly, educational story time moments, historic recipes and more.

Admission is free for museum members. Ticket information, including pricing for non-members, is available by checking https://www.gcv.org/events/honoring-juneteenth.

Did we miss a Juneteenth event? Email mbatlle@gannett.com for consideration.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Juneteenth events in Rochester NY 2022