Events planned to commemorate the end of slavery and renew commitment to a vibrant future
Juneteenth derives its name from combining “June” and “nineteenth” and is a federal holiday celebrated on the anniversary of the order issued on June 19, 1865, proclaiming freedom for slaves in Texas. The Michiana community offers a variety of celebrations to commemorate the emancipation of those who had been enslaved in the United States.
SOUTH BEND
2023 African American Legacy Award Juneteenth Luncheon — noon to 1:30 p.m. June 13, The History Museum Oliver Gardens, 808 W. Washington St. Verge “Brother Sage” Gillam will be honored with this year’s award. Event registration is closed.
Juneteenth Luncheon honoree: Verge 'Brother Sage' Gillam wins South Bend History Museum's African American Legacy Award
Juneteenth Celebration + Resource Fair — 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. June 16, DeBartolo Performing Arts Center, 100 Performing Arts Center, University of Notre Dame. This free, non-ticketed event will include informative booths, free food, music spun by a DJ, a cash bar and giveaways.
Annual Juneteenth Celebration 2023 — noon to 5 p.m. June 17, LaSalle Park, 3419 W. Washington. This free event is sponsored by the South Bend Chapter of Indiana Black Expo. Enjoy food, merchandise and information vendors, and live entertainment with the Godfather Gino J, Dream Team Live and other local artists.
ELKHART
Elkhart Juneteenth Celebration 2023 — 4 to 8 p.m. June 19, Roosevelt Center and Park, 215 E. Indiana Ave. “Keep Moving Forward” celebrates Black Freedom with a flag raising ceremony with community leaders, live music from DJ TRUTH, Black owned businesses and organizations, Black authors from across the country (live and remotely), live performances, food, Unity basketball game, ancestral moment of silence and more.
Juneteenth Celebration Documentary Screenings — 10 a.m. and 2 and 6 p.m. June 19, Ruthmere, 302 E. Beardsley Ave. Ruthmere will offer free screenings of “What Happened at Benham West” a documentary film that examines the history of Benham West, an African American neighborhood in Elkhart that was forcibly segregated in the 1920s, became a thriving community for Black families and businesses, then cleared in the 1970s in the name of urban renewal. The Benham West story is told through the voices of 17 African American elders who lived it.
GOSHEN
Second Annual Juneteenth Celebration — noon to 5 p.m. June 17, Shanklin Park, 411 W. Plymouth Ave. This year’s event will feature local and regional artisans, performers, and food vendors. This family-friendly event is free and will also include informational tables from the Department of Environmental Resilience, Goshen Public Library and community members holding conversations about reparations. LaCasa will host a free workshop on homeownership from 9 a.m. to noon. To participate in the workshop, register at https://lacasainc.net/classes.
MICHIGAN CITY
Michigan City Juneteenth — June 18 and 19 at Washington Park Guy Foreman's Amphitheatre and Fedder's Alley. Two days full of activities. From 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. CDT on June 18 and from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. CDT on June 19. See full agenda at Facebook.com/MichiganCitySpecialEvents.
MISHAWAKA
"Strides for Freedom Walk" — 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. June 19, Saint Joseph Mishawaka Medical Center - Healing Garden, 5215 Holy Cross Parkway. Members of the community are invited to honor the journey of freedom and equity by walking the path of the Mishawaka Medical Center Lake with stops for moments of reflection.
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Juneteenth celebrations throughout the Michiana area
