Juneteenth 2023: What to do in Nashville, Middle Tennessee
Asked about Juneteenth, Fisk professor James Pratt Jr. thought about his ancestors.
Men, women and children that spent generations in chains on the Tennessee soil he walks on today. They endured slavery thousands of miles away from their native lands, forced into an existence of labor, sex, and breeding.
“(During slavery) they didn’t have control of their own bodies, so (Juneteenth) is a time to move your body freely, to travel and move to be with family that you're separated from,” said Pratt, a professor in criminal justice at Fisk, a historically Black college in Nashville.
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More than 150 years after emancipation efforts spread across the nation, Pratt joins Americans of all races, genders and ethnic groups as they try to figure out what to do on June 19, 2023 — the second year Juneteenth will be a federal holiday.
Cookouts with family, friends, and new acquaintances, complete with barbeque, sides, and red-colored food and drinks, from red velvet cake to strawberry soda — items that the enslaved once consumed to celebrate freedom. Trips to local museums and libraries. Day trips to historic sites. Music and cultural festivals. Or simply relaxing at home.
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Nashville, as well as Middle Tennessee, offers a myriad of activities fit for residents and visitors of all ages on Juneteenth. Check out our list below.
Soul of America Tours
This three-hour tour of Nashville showcases the influence of African Americans on the city.
The National Museum of African American Music
A museum dedicated to preserving and celebrating the genres created, influenced, and inspired by African Americans. The museum has collections that integrate history and interactive technology to bring musical heroes of the past to the present.
2023 Juneteenth Freedom Day Ride
Ready to cycle? This 25-mile, self-guided bike ride across Nashville is on a marked route. A 10-mile group/family ride will be led by the Music City Dope Peddlers.
Juneteenth 2023 Sneaker Gala
This formal event is hosted June 16 by the Franklin Justice & Equity Coalition. The event will be held at The Factory in Franklin (230 Franklin Road). Tickets are $150. Seating is limited.
Nearest Green Distillery Tour
Learn about Nearest Green, the first African-American master distiller on record in the U.S. Tours are available at 3125 Highway 231 North in Shelbyville. Advance booking is strongly recommended.
Juneteenth Block Party in Clarksville
Black Clarksville is hosting its third annual Juneteenth Block Party in Clarksville on June 17. Located at the Downtown Commons, the event will feature more than 60 black-owned businesses and organizations, live performances and food trucks for family and friends to enjoy. The party starts at noon and will end at 6 p.m.
Juneteenth Festival and Parade in Clarksville
Art, spoken word, food, live music and more will be at the Juneteenth Parade and Festival, hosted by Manifest Magic on June 17 in Clarksville. The parade starts at 10 a.m. at the Burt Cobb Recreation Center (1011 Franklin Street) and will be followed by the festival at 2 p.m. at the Emerald (2631 US-41 ALT).
History teacher: 'Can’t teach American history without teaching Juneteenth'
Why is Juneteenth important?
Fred Whitley Jr. knows. After all, he teaches it daily, from his day job as a history teacher at Knowledge Academy Charter School to his local business, Soul of America Tours.
“We can’t teach American history without teaching Juneteenth," Whitley said. "It would be like teaching American history without the Fourth of July."
Pratt hopes this fairly-new federal holiday, created in 2021 when President Joe Biden signed a bill passed by Congress, leads more Americans to learn the cause of Juneteenth, conversations and understanding that may lead to reparations and real change in society.
Juneteenth Pop Up Shop at Riverwalk in Columbia
Come spend a day at the park supporting local black businesses in one of the first cities to declare Juneteenth an official holiday.
Columbia will host its annual Juneteenth Pop Up Shop community event starting at noon Saturday, June 17 at Riverwalk Park, 102 Riverside Drive.
The event will feature vendors representing many of the community's local black-owned small businesses, as well as food trucks, activities and games for all ages.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Juneteenth 2023: What to do in Nashville, Middle Tennessee
