Fort Collins to see first full weekend of Juneteenth events in 2022

Erin Udell, Fort Collins Coloradoan
·2 min read

Fort Collins will soon see its first full weekend of Juneteenth events with three days planned for celebrating dance, music, art, theatre, health, wellness and BIPOC-owned businesses.

The FoCo Juneteenth Celebration, which is put on by the year-old FoCo Juneteenth committee, will include several events scheduled from June 17 to the federal Juneteenth holiday on June 19. Juneteenth commemorates the day news of the Emancipation Proclamation, which freed enslaved people in the Confederate States, reached Texas.

The Fort Collins celebration kicks off 6 p.m. June 17 at Foothills mall, with live music from Jamal Skinner and Matt Grundstad and Denver-based artists Soul School. A teen night will also take place from 6-9 p.m. June 17 at the Boys and Girls Club of Larimer County in Fort Collins.

What is Juneteenth?: Annual holiday commemorates Emancipation Proclamation, end of slavery in U.S.

The celebration continues June 18, kicking off with an 8:15 a.m. family bike ride at Foothills mall followed by yoga with Black yogis and a grade school reading presentation at 10:15 a.m., dancing to Afro Beats at 11:15 and an official welcome by the FoCo Juneteenth committee at noon.

The day will continue with live music, theater and art presentations, free workshops, book readings, booths for BIPOC-owned businesses and performances by the Fale African Drum and Dance Collective, Saja Butler, Julia Kirkwood, Elmer Funk Band and Kid Astronaut

USA TODAY News · Fleeing slavery: a life-changing will and escaping down the Mississippi on a Union ship

The June 19 events will kick off at 8 a.m. with a Father's Day 5K at Foothills mall followed by a day of offerings at Rolland Moore Park, including a three-on-three morning basketball tournament, Father's Day tribute and live music.

For a full schedule of events or registration information for the weekend's family bike ride or Father's Day 5K, visit focojuneteenth.com.

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A commemorative T-shirt stands on display during the first Juneteenth holiday celebration at The Foote Lagoon in Loveland on June 19, 2021. Fort Collins is hosting its first full weekend of Juneteenth events this year. Coloradoan file photo
A commemorative T-shirt stands on display during the first Juneteenth holiday celebration at The Foote Lagoon in Loveland on June 19, 2021. Fort Collins is hosting its first full weekend of Juneteenth events this year. Coloradoan file photo

USA TODAY contributed to this report.

Erin Udell reports on news, culture, history and more for the Coloradoan. Contact her at ErinUdell@coloradoan.com. The only way she can keep doing what she does is with your support. If you subscribe, thank you. If not, sign up for a digital subscription to the Coloradoan today. 

This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Juneteenth in Fort Collins: City to see first full weekend of events