How Bloomington is celebrating Juneteenth 2022 and what will be closed Monday
Some people have celebrated Juneteenth since they were kids. Others may have just learned the meaning behind the new federal holiday. Regardless, all are invited to celebrate this weekend with food, music and community.
The City of Bloomington and the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center at Indiana University are celebrating Juneteenth with a community event June 18 from 2 to 7 p.m. at Switchyard Park.
The event will feature food, music, activities and informational tables. Families can be entertained by the splash pad, face painting and games like giant Connect Four.
Juneteenth commemorates the freeing of many slaves in the United States. June 19 officially became a federal holiday last year, but it has been celebrated by African Americans for much longer. Juneteenth commemorates the date in 1865 when enslaved people in Texas were finally informed of their freedom by Union Army Gen. Gordon Granger.
It was one of the final acts to emancipate the enslaved, coming over two years after Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation.
More local events: Outdoor salsa, Latin fusion by Matixando, plenty of films highlight week's events
It's important to celebrate pivotal moments in history like this one, said Shatoyia Moss, Bloomington's safe & civil city director. Holidays like Juneteenth, she said, are a celebration of freedom.
"Even if you don't feel like it's a history that belongs to your culture or your ethnicity, it is definitely something that is a part of American history," she said. "It's a holiday essentially for everyone."
The word "Juneteenth" is a combination of the date: "June" and "nineteenth." The holiday is also be called Freedom Day, Jubilee Day, Liberation Day and Emancipation Day.
As a federal holiday, most government offices, including city of Bloomington and Monroe County government offices, will be closed Monday. Banks and some businesses also may be closed. There will be no mail delivery.
Moss said the city's Juneteenth celebration will be twice the size of last year's event. After the two years of the pandemic, she is excited to see community members in a positive and feel good space.
"Our community does the best when we're able to actually talk to each other, and learn about each other's culture and learn more about history," Moss said.
As of June 15, 11 informational tables and eight vendors will be in attendance. League Of Women Voters of Bloomington-Monroe County, Monroe County NAACP and All-Star Imagination, Inc. are a few of the many groups coming out to talk to locals about their services and mission.
Carson's BBQ & Catering is catering the event with free food while supplies last. Pulled pork and chicken sandwiches, hot dogs and catfish will be served along with sides like mac and cheese, baked beans and coleslaw. Meals will be boxed beforehand.
Candy Treatz and Rasta Pops will be serving some sweet treats. A few lemonade stands will also be there. Other local businesses, such as Be Finer Tees and Forever Lizz Essentials, will also be present.
Mark your calendars: ‘Jagged Little Pill’ featuring Alanis Morissette music at IU Auditorium April 3-4
The vendors are excited to have the chance to interact with the community and let people get to know them, Moss said. Especially for those without brick and mortar locations, she said this event is an opportunity for residents to learn more about their local businesses owners.
"These things are kind of like well kept secrets unless you already know about them," Moss said. "They're really looking forward to it."
People are also free to bring their own food and non-alcoholic drinks. Blankets and chairs are also recommended.
Hand sanitizer and fans will be distributed to help people stay safe both from COVID-19 and the heat.
With the current heat wave, guests are advised to bring and drink a lot of water. The Weather Channel estimates a high of 82 degrees during the day Saturday and sunny skies.
Cate Charron is an intern at The Herald-Times. You can reach her over email at ccharron@heraldt.com or on Twitter at @CateCharron.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Community can celebrate Juneteenth Saturday at Switchyard Park
