Juneteenth 2023: Celebrate in Knoxville with parade, exhibits, stories of emancipation
A month after Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee signed a bill to make June 19 ‒ known as Juneteenth ‒ a state holiday, and two years after Juneteenth became a federal holiday, Knoxville is preparing for days of festivities to celebrate Black freedom.
Juneteenth ‒ also known as Jubilee Day, Emancipation Day and Freedom Day ‒ falls on a Monday this year and will be observed by federal, city of Knoxville and Knox County employees.
Juneteenth (short for June Nineteenth) marks the date in 1865 when the last enslaved people in Texas were informed they were free, and is considered the longest-running African American holiday. The holiday is often celebrated with music, services, food, parades and other activities. It's also an opportunity to learn more about Black and African American history and culture while reflecting on how slavery and racism has affected our communities and what it means to be truly free.
If you would like to see your Juneteenth event featured on this list, email Hayley.Choy@Knox.News.com.
Juneteenth 2023 Town Hall Meeting with state Rep. Sam McKenzie and the Tennessee Black Caucus
June 16 – Beck Cultural Exchange Center
The Beck Cultural Exchange Center will kick off its Juneteenth events with its Racial Justice Conversation featuring state Rep. Sam McKenzie and members of the Tennessee Black Caucus of State Legislators. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the discussion starts at 6 p.m. at the Beck Center. Join the conversation regarding Juneteenth and topics relevant to the community.
The Green McAdoo Cultural Center Juneteenth Celebration
June 17 – Green McAdoo Cultural Center
The Green McAdoo Cultural Center will host its third annual Juneteenth Celebration from 4:30-9:30 p.m. The Freedom Day festivities will include bingo, games, live music, giveaways and food trucks. The event also will feature a conversation with Rachel Louise Martin about her upcoming book, "A Most Tolerant Little Town."
Juneteenth food celebrates freedom and honors ancestors. But why are the dishes red?
Haley Heritage Square 25th Anniversary Kickoff
June 17 – Beck Cultural Exchange Center
Beck Cultural Exchange Center will launch a yearlong celebration of the 25th anniversary of the installation of the Alex Haley statue in Haley Heritage Square, 1600 Dandridge Ave. Gather with community members, artists, storytellers and the Haley family at the statue at 10 a.m., as they commemorate this symbol of legacy and hope.
Stories of Emancipation at Mabry-Hazen House
June 17-26 – Mabry-Hazen House
The Mabry-Hazen House, featuring generations of family artifacts and heirlooms, will share emancipation stories about local enslaved communities. Visitors can explore how enslaved people connected to the Mabry-Hazen House gained their freedom and fought to dismantle American chattel slavery. Three tours will take place, starting at 10:30 a.m., noon and 1:30 p.m., with special Juneteenth Day tours at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Admission is free, but reservations are encouraged and donations are appreciated. Visit mabryhazen.com for more information and to make a reservation.
Rooted in History Juneteenth Celebration
June 18 – Rooted East Knoxville Collective
Rooted East Knoxville Collective, a community-led food justice collective serving East Knoxville, invites the community to the Rooted in History Juneteenth Celebration 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Knoxville Botanical Gardens. The gathering will include food, libations, educational workshops, poetry, dance, music, arts and discussion with BattleField Farm's Chris Battle. An inaugural Black Knoxville portrait will be taken promptly at 3 p.m., and all white attire is required for the photo.
MLK Memorial Parade and Juneteenth Celebration
June 19 – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Commission
The 2023 MLK Memorial Parade and Juneteenth Celebration presented by the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Commission will begin with registration and line-up 8:30-9:30 a.m. at Chilhowee Park. The parade will begin at 10 a.m., and will proceed down MLK Jr. Boulevard and end at Dr. Walter Hardy Park. The Juneteenth Celebration will start at noon at the park. For more information and to register, visit mlkknoxville.com.
Juneteenth Special Heritage Exhibit
June 19 – Beck Cultural Exchange Center
The Beck Cultural Exchange Center will present its Juneteenth Special Heritage Exhibit 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Last year, the Beck Cultural Exchange Center unveiled a permanent outdoor exhibit titled “Emancipation.” This historical exhibition consists of large aluminum panels along with a life-size image. The exhibit honors and pays tribute to the estimated 250,000 enslaved people in Texas in 1865.
Juneteenth Slow Ride and Celebration at The Bottom and Two Bikes
June 19 – The Bottom and Two Bikes
Join The Bottom and Two Bikes for their Juneteenth Slow Ride and Celebration. The casual bike ride will take place 10 a.m.-noon and will guide participants through the Five Points neighborhood of East Knoxville, with stops at the Alex Haley Heritage Square and the Beck Cultural Exchange Center. The ride will end back at The Bottom, and will include a Knox Vintage Market pop up 11 a.m.-4 p.m., food, and a community showcase 2-3 p.m. More information on the ride and activities can be found at thebottomknox.com and twobikes.org.
7 little known tidbits on Juneteenth, a celebration of freedom in America
The Crown Pitch Competition
June 19 – The Women and Shora Foundation
Selected Black Knoxville entrepreneurs will have an opportunity to showcase and pitch their business ideas and win a $5,000 grant, plus resources and mentoring through The Crown Pitch Competition. This event will be an opportunity to celebrate Juneteenth while engaging with innovative Black entrepreneurs in our community. The competition is at 6 p.m. at the Old City Performing Arts Center and is open to the public. This competition was created by The Women, a group of six Black women who provide access to capital via interest-free micro loans to small Black-owned businesses.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Juneteenth 2023: Celebrate in Knoxville with parade, exhibits, tours
