Here's where to find Juneteenth celebrations to be held across Polk County

Breanna A. Rittman, The Ledger
·4 min read

In 2021 Juneteenth received recognition to become a federal holiday when President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act.

Dorothy Wilson, executive director of the Joseph A. Wiltshire Foundation in Lake Wales, believes this was a good educational move.

“It was a good move by the federal government to unite people and show that everyone counts,” Wilson said.

The Color Guard from the Buffalo Soldiers Florida representing the 3rd U.S. Colored Calvary, a civil war unit, remove the flag at the end of the 28 Juneteenth celebration at Munn Park in Lakeland. Lakeland and other cities across the county will observe Juneteenth with festivals, parades and galas.
The Color Guard from the Buffalo Soldiers Florida representing the 3rd U.S. Colored Calvary, a civil war unit, remove the flag at the end of the 28 Juneteenth celebration at Munn Park in Lakeland. Lakeland and other cities across the county will observe Juneteenth with festivals, parades and galas.

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Juneteenth celebrates the emancipation of enslaved African American. Its origins begin June 19, 1865 when Union soldiers led by Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas to announce the end of the Civil War and the freedom of the enslaved. This was two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued on January 1, 1863.

Wanda Gaines, owner of New Outlook, has been coordinating the Celebration of Freedom events in Polk City since 2019.

“It's just a way to recognize the fact that our ancestors were made aware of their freedom. And not only did they become aware, but they organized something just for us as African American people to celebrate and to be able to live life freely, you know, have fun, because they have been oppressed for so long," said Gaines. "So, for me, it's not just about learning about each other, but also just to have fun.”

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With Juneteenth falling this year on Sunday, June 19, the federal holiday will be observed the following day.

Here's how some cities and towns in Polk County are celebrating the holiday:

Haines City

NAACP Haines City Branch, Northeast Revitalization Group, the Northeast Rattlers, and the City of Haines City have partnered together for Juneteenth celebrations in Haines City. The second annual Juneteenth Black Tie Gala is scheduled for June 17 from 6-9 p.m. Tickets are $50 per person or $450 for a table of 10. Guests will be provided with a catered dinner, entertainment, a speaker and cultural art displays. The gala is at the Lake Eva Event Center, 799 Johns Avenue. For tickets, visit EventBrite or contact Lekia Johnson at 863-632-8351.

The Juneteenth Parade and Soul Concert will begin at 1 p.m. on June 18 at Myers and Wiley Field, 915 N 8th Street.

Lakeland

The Juneteenth Committee Lakeland will host its 30th annual observance on June 18 from 3-6 p.m. The Tampa Buffalo Soldiers will be present and there will be a reenactment of the only documented woman Buffalo Soldier, Cathay Williams, who passed as a man to serve in the United States Army in the 1860s. The observance will be held at Coleman-Bush Building at 1104 Martin Luther King Ave. Attendees are asked to bring a box of cereal.

Dundee

The Community Citizens of Dundee will hold its Inaugural Juneteenth Festival in the town of Dundee on June 19 from 2:30-7:00 p.m. The event will be held at the Dundee Community Center at 603 Lake Marie Drive.

Polk City

New Outlook will host its annual Juneteenth Celebration of Freedom on June 18 from 2-7 p.m. at 100-538 Berkley Road. There will be live entertainment, food and games.

Bartow

The Celebrate Freedom Day Festival in Bartow is scheduled for June 18 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. There will be music, informational booths and vendors. The festival will be held at Over the Branch Park near 740 Polk Street. For more information contact Zelma Harris at 863-440-1595.

Lake Wales

The Dr. Joseph A. Wiltshire Foundation will host its first Watermelon Festival on June 18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The festival will be held at the James P. Austin III Community Center, 315 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

The Community Redevelopment Agency has partnered with Andres Garcia to pay tribute through artwork. Garcia’s mural will be unveiled on Juneteenth adjacent to last year’s mural he painted at the Stuart Park Pavilion at First Street and Dr. JA Wiltshire Boulevard.

Davenport

Jamestown Concerned Citizens will host the 7th annual Juneteenth Celebration on June 18 from 2-6 p.m. at Jamestown Park located at 101 Murphy Street.

Winter Haven

The city of Winter Haven’s Juneteenth Celebration is scheduled for June 18 from 3-7 p.m. There will be live entertainment, historical exhibits, scholarships, food and vendors. The event is at Lake Maude Recreation Center located at 1790 7th Street NE.

Breanna A. Rittman writes news features for The Ledger. Send your feature ideas to BRittman@gannett.com. 

This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Juneteenth: Find celebrations in Polk County