Juneteenth 2023: Honor the holiday with music, art and sweet potato pie in South Florida

South Florida is honoring Juneteenth with events celebrating freedom through art, music, food, crafts and cultural performances.

Two years ago, June 19 became a federal holiday, recognizing the abolition of slavery in the United States. But it’s more than just a day off from work. Juneteenth marks the day in 1865 when federal troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas, to bring word that the Civil War had ended and that the enslaved were free. The message arrived two and a half years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation had become official on Jan. 1, 1863.

Since then, communities have started their own traditions in commemoration. Here’s a roundup of Juneteenth 2023 events planned today in Broward and Palm Beach counties.

Miramar Juneteenth Family Day — Hosted by Miramar City Commissioner Yvette Colbourne, the “Discovering Our Roots” themed event will have interactive activities for kids, including crafting, a scavenger hunt, pop-up African Art Exhibit, Little Library and Step Show, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 19 at City Hall Plaza, 2300 Civic Center Place, Miramar. There also will be music and food vendors. Free. Register at eventbrite.com.

Juneteenth Festival — The family friendly event will feature food trucks, music from the Valerie Tyson Band and J-Sharp Band, children’s activities such as bounce houses, face painting and games from noon to 5 p.m. June 19 at Sara Sims Park, 209 NW Ninth Ave., Boynton Beach. A variety of vendors will be on-site. Additional parking will be available at the Carolyn Sims Center, 225 NW 12th Ave. Free. Visit boynton-beach.org/juneteenth.

REDTeenth, A Celebration of Juneteenth — Hosted in partnership with the Sickle Cell Foundation of Palm Beach County and Treasure Coast Inc., this event will celebrate Juneteenth and World Sickle Cell Day from 4 to 8 p.m. June 19 at the Wellington Amphitheater, 12100 Forest Hill Blvd. The schedule includes entertainment, vendors, food trucks, a Battle of the Bands, fashion show and spoken word. Bring chairs or blankets. The event is rain or shine. Call 561-833-3113, or visit sicklecellpbc.org/p/2/home.

Heart of the Arts Juneteenth Music and Arts Festival — Synergy Camp Inc. will celebrate Juneteenth with a music and arts festival from 4 to 9 p.m. June 19 along South J Street in Lake Worth Beach. Among the performers on the outdoor and indoor stages of Rudy’s Pub, 21 S. J St., are HueyHampton, Ray “Quasi” Nelson, Alkebulan Music Philosophy and artist Terrion Nelson. Free. Register at heartoftheartsfestival.eventbrite.com.

BROWARD/PALM EVENTS FROM LAST WEEK

Juneteenth Story and Craft — Celebrate from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. June 14 at the Parkland Library, 6620 University Drive, with a story and craft activity for children age 5 and older. A Parkland Library card is required to register. Free. Visit cityofparkland.org/library or call 954-757-4207 to register.

Lunch with Art: The LIVE Music Edition — The program will honor Juneteenth with performer Lauren Carter at 12:15 p.m. June 15 at Ali Cultural Arts Center, 353 Dr. Martin Luther King Blvd., Pompano Beach. Bring lunch and learn about new music with a group discussion. Free. Register at eventbrite.com.

Juneteenth Celebration — The city of Hollywood’s African American Advisory Council and Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts will have music and activities from 5 to 8 p.m. June 16 at ArtsPark at Young Circle, 1 Young Circle, Hollywood. Performers include Cameron Marcel Anderson, South Broward High School Band, Broward College Jazz Band, Sunshine Junkanoo Band, Ike and Val. There will also be Family Yoga (limited yoga mats available; bring a towel or blanket). Watch “Soul” during ArtsPark Movie Night at 8 p.m. Free. Visit hollywoodfl.org or call 954-921-3404.

Juneteenth: Celebrating Freedom — Art, poetry, food and cultural performances are on the schedule for this event organized by the city of Hallandale Beach and the Community Civic Association from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. June 16 at Foster Park, 609 NW Sixth Ave., Hallandale Beach. Parking is available at O.B Johnson Park, 1000 NW Eighth Ave. Free. Visit hallandalebeachfl.gov or call 954-803-0978.

Juneteenth Featured Presentation — Watch “The Woman King” on a three-story movie screen during an event from 6 to 10 p.m. June 16 at Willie L. Webb. Sr. Park, 3601 NW 21st St., Lauderdale Lakes. There will be a cultural exhibition pre-show, movie snack packs for the first 100 people, and food trucks. Bring lawn chairs and blankets. Free admission. Visit Facebook.com/CityLauderdaleLakes or call 954-535-2785.

Juneteenth Freedom Day Celebration — A concert by Visions Band, literary readings and guest speakers on the history of Juneteenth will highlight the event from 6:30 to 9 p.m. June 16 at City Hall Courtyard, 4800 W. Copans Road, Coconut Creek. Food and drinks will be available for purchase from Crunly, Mr. B’s Caribbean Street Food, Potatoes of Steele, The Brasserie and Libation Nation. Blankets, chairs and coolers are allowed. Pets are not permitted. Free admission. Visit coconutcreek.net/events/juneteenth.

Juneteenth Celebration — Bring your lawn chair for a concert by Motown Magic and a dance performance by Ashanti Cultural Arts. Event is set for 7 to 9:30 p.m. June 16 at Tamarac Sports Complex, 9901 NW 77th St. Also available: a kids zone with inflatables, face painting, arts and crafts activities, and food trucks. Free admission. Call 954-597-3620 or visit tamarac.org/specialevents.

Live and Local Concert Series — Pompano Beach Arts’ monthly series will feature bassist, composer and filmmaker Kirk Green, from 7 to 9 p.m. June 16 at Ali Cultural Arts Center, 353 Dr. Martin Luther King Blvd., Pompano Beach. Free. Register at eventbrite.com.

Noir Arts — BLK Art Brunch — A Juneteenth celebration of Black art and culture will feature an afternoon of music, artwork, live performances and a vendor market, from noon to 5 p.m. June 17 at Pompano Beach Cultural Center, 50 W. Atlantic Blvd. The annual Black Art Brunch Juneteenth Celebration benefits the Noir Infusion Arts Projects exhibitions, events and culture-based education programs, and enables the preservation and development works for artists. Tickets are $25-$70 at pompanobeacharts.org/events/noir-arts-blk-art-brunch.

Juneteenth Freedom Day Celebration — Honor community members and enjoy music, free food, bounce houses, food trucks and live entertainment from noon to 5 p.m. June 17 at C.W. Thomas Park, 100 NW Eighth Ave., Dania Beach. Free. Visit eventbrite.com or call 954-608-1111.

Blues & Sweet Potato Pie Festival: A Juneteenth Celebration — Kick off the Northwest Branch Library’s Summer Learning Program from noon to 5 p.m. June 17 at Apollo Park, 1580 NW Third Ave., Pompano Beach, with a day of live entertainment, art and history. There will be performances, activities, exhibits and the legendary pie-tasting contest to crown the community’s best sweet-potato pie maker. Other highlights include gospel artists, Civil War reenactors, DJ, storytelling, dancing, hula hoop contest, raffles and food vendors. Sign up for library cards and register to vote. Free. Register at eventbrite.com.

Juneteenth: A Musical Celebration — Come to the second-floor cafe from 1 to 2:30 p.m. June 17 at the Broward County Main Library, 100 S. Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale. On the schedule are: Alto Zoretta Hopkins with her performance as Harriet Tubman; Dr. Clovis Shane LeMar and his band will play the music of Scott Joplin, The Mills Brothers, Count Basie, The Platters, Chuck Berry and more. Sponsored by Project Opioid South Florida, the event will serve up free food for participants, while it lasts. Free. Register at broward.libnet.info/event/8194334.

Juneteenth Celebration Freedom Fest — The African American Heritage Board and the city of Deerfield Beach will have entertainment and a kids zone from 2 to 8 p.m. June 17 at Oveta McKeithen Recreational Complex, 445 SW Second St., Deerfield Beach. Coolers and alcohol are prohibited. Performers include Ultimate Steel Band, Randy Corinthian & Band and Sabo Nsaent Hip Hop, among others. Free. Visit dfb.city/juneteenth or call 954-480-4429.

Juneteenth Carver Ranches Community Celebration — Enjoy poetry readings and music to honor Juneteenth Freedom Day from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. June 17 at Carver Ranches Branch Library, 4735 SW 18th St., West Park. Free. Visit broward.libnet.info/event/8029147.

Juneteenth activity — Learn about the holiday with kids’ activities and crafts from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 17 at Plantation Historical Museum, 511 N. Fig Tree Lane. Free. Visit plantation.org.

Kid’s Corner @ The Frank: Juneteenth Storytime Hour — Celebrate freedom with the book “Juneteenth for Mazie” by Floyd Cooper, followed by a guided art activity from noon to 1 p.m. June 17 at The Frank C. Ortis Art Gallery, 601 City Center Way, Pembroke Pines. Free. Visit thefrankgallery.org or call 954-392-2120.

Juneteenth Celebration — The city of Coral Springs will have a celebration with messages of hope from community leaders, musical and step performances, and a historic perspective about the significance of Juneteenth, from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. June 17 at City Hall Lawn, 9500 W Sample Road, Coral Springs. FM Band Miami will perform, and a hair demo will take place at 7:15 p.m. VIP tickets are available for purchase at for the Amazon Lounge ($50 includes two drinks, discounts for on-site food trucks, free water, phone charging station and back massages). Other activities include arts and crafts, a photo booth, game area, and balloon twisters. Bring lawn chairs. Free admission. Visit coralsprings.gov/Events-directory/Special-Events/Juneteenth-Celebration.

Juneteenth Community Day — An intergenerational event celebrating freedom while spotlighting the Black experience will take place from noon to 5 p.m. June 17 at the Norton Museum of Art, 1450 S. Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach. Expect live musical performances, dance, gallery talks on works by Black artists, storytelling and art-making projects. Other activities include spoken word, Subculture FilmFest and a family tour. Free admission. RSVP at norton.org/events/Juneteenth-Community-Day-06-17-2023-2.

Juneteenth Freedom Through Joy — Rohi’s Readery and The Square are planning an evening to honoring Black culture and history, for all ages, from 4:15 to 8 p.m. June 17 at The Square, 700 Rosemary Ave., West Palm Beach. The schedule includes Beats and Sounds of African Music Dance Session by Natural Movers Foundation; Juneteenth Storytime and Activity by Rohi’s Readery; Spirit Walk Community and Ancestral Connection with Blanche Williams; Culture and Cooking Class with Project Flourish; Black Joy and the history of Juneteenth: In Conversation with Brian Knowles, Owner of Teach.Heal.Build. Free. Visit thesquarewestpalm.com.

A Juneteenth Celebration: An Evening with Donna Singer and the Diamond Jazz Orchestra Paying Tribute to Count Basie — The museum will open beforehand for exhibit viewing from 6 to 8 p.m. (concert begins at 7 p.m.) June 17 at Spady Cultural Heritage Museum, 170 NW Fifth Ave., Delray Beach. Proceeds from the benefit concert will go toward underwriting the museum’s programming and events. Tickets are $50 per person or $80 per couple at eventbrite.com.

A Splash of Excellence Poolside Fashion Show — Celebrate Juneteenth and enjoy a poolside fashion show coordinated by Tabre Sharai and hosted by Nene Gemini, with music by P The Vybes Setta, on June 17. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and show starts at 6:30 pm. June 17 at Pompey Park Pool, 1101 NW Second St., Delray Beach. Tickets are $20 in advance and $30 at the door. Visit delraybeachfl.gov or call Gerard Smith at 561-243-7356.