Juneteenth is America's newest federal holiday. Here's where you can celebrate in Oklahoma
For Americans, summer is a season for celebrating freedom.
The last Monday of May is Memorial Day, set aside to honor the men and women who have died while serving in the U.S. military, while July 4 commemorates the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, proclaiming the American colonies’ separation from Great Britain.
In between, the United States marks its newest national holiday, Juneteenth. The June 19 holiday is observed by Americans, especially in Black communities, as a celebration of the end of slavery in the United States.
"My whole life, Juneteenth was just something that nobody knew about, except for people in the Black community. I feel like we're in a space now where it's a national holiday, and so it's important that people from all other cultures and races come and experience this, because it's a part of their history as well," said local rapper, activist and entrepreneur Jabee, who spearheads the annual Juneteenth on the East celebration in Oklahoma City.
"It is, in a sense, the Fourth of July. It is a liberation for us, and it's a part of our history. And when I say 'us,' I mean all people — it's a part of all of our history."
What is Juneteenth?
Juneteenth is also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day. The celebration began because Gen. Gordon Granger of the U.S. Army proclaimed the end of enslavement in Texas on June 19, 1865, at Galveston.
The general's proclamation came two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln issued during the Civil War the Jan. 1, 1863, Emancipation Proclamation, declaring "that all persons held as slaves" within the rebelling Confederate states "are, and henceforward shall be free." Texas was the last Confederate state where the proclamation was announced.
The first Juneteenth celebrating the day enslaved people in Galveston were officially freed started in 1866, and the holiday eventually spread across the country.
In 2021, President Joe Biden signed a bill passed by the U.S. House and Senate recognizing Juneteenth as a new federal holiday.
Where can people celebrate Juneteenth in Oklahoma?
Several Juneteenth celebrations are planned in Oklahoma on or around June 19:
Juneteenth on the East
When and where: June 16-18, NE 23 Street between N Kelham Avenue and N Hood Street.
Information: https://www.withloveokc.org/juneteenth, Twitter.com/JuneteenthEast and https://www.facebook.com/JuneteenthOnTheEast.
The third annual free, family friendly event on Oklahoma City's historically and still predominantly Black East Side starts with a 5K run at 7 p.m. June 16 at Kindred Spirits and ends with Brunch on the East from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 18 at Florence’s Restaurant, Eastside Pizza House, Kindred Spirits and Eastside Eatery.
In between, the Juneteenth on the East Festival from 3 to 9 p.m. June 17 outside on NE 23 will feature a freedom march, interactive mural painting, dance performances, children's activities, community awards, spoken word performances, food trucks, educational tents and vendors and musical performances, including sets from Grammy-nominated hip-hop performer D Smoke and Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Elle Varner.
Juneteenth Music & Arts Festival
When and where: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. June 17, Washington Park, 400 N High Ave.
Information: https://juneteenthfestival.net and https://www.facebook.com/okcheartandsoul.
The free event will include live music, vendor booths and the PPBC (Perry Publishing & Broadcasting Company) Music Awards.
'Freedom Songs' Juneteenth Celebration
When and where: 5 to 8 p.m. June 15, Oklahoma History Center, 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive.
Information and registration: https://www.okhistory.org.
Featured performers will include Loria Philips, Bonita Franklin, Starr Fisher and Xinos and Kudos of the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa Inc. Author Carmen Fields will sign copies of her new book "Going Back to T-Town: The Ernie Fields Territory Big Band." A fashion show will focus on African cultures, and OKC sculptor LaQuincey Reed will display his work. Admission is free, but registration is required.
Dinner En Black: Juneteenth
When: Dinner service at 5 p.m., 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. June 19, Rose Room, 2220 N Classen Blvd.
Information and reservations: https://okcblackeats.com/events/dinnerenblk.
Dinner En Black is a private dinner series in an intimate setting spotlighting the culinary talents of Black chefs. Guests will partake of an eight-course meal paired with a signature cocktail or alcohol-free beverage. For Juneteenth, the menu will feature spices and flavors representing 54 countries in Africa. A vegetarian or vegan option is offered for each dinner course.
Juneteenth Community Celebration
When and where: 2 to 4 p.m. June 17, Southern Oaks Library, 6900 S Walker Ave.
Information: https://www.metrolibrary.org/event/juneteenth-community-celebration.
The all-ages activities will include a story-telling experience by writer, activist and businesswoman Camille Landry, accompanied by local guitarist Cherryl Seard. Attendees can make a bracelet, pick out a book and partake of refreshments, too.
Norman Juneteenth Festival
When and where: 6 to 10 p.m. June 19, Reaves Park, 2501 Jenkins Ave., Norman.
Information: https://normanjuneteenth.com.
The festivities will include guest appearances by Oklahoma Hall of Famers George Henderson and J.C. Watts, plus live music by Jahruba and the Street People, vendors, food trucks, face-painting, games, a domino tournament and more. A fireworks show will begin at 9:30 p.m. This year's theme is "Resilience Through Arts and Culture."
Juneteenth Midwest City Family Festival
When and where: 3 to 8 p.m. June 17, Joe B. Barnes Regional Park, 8700 E Reno Ave, Midwest City.
Information: https://www.midwestcityok.org/marketing/page/juneteenth-midwest-city-family-festival.
Midwest City's inaugural Juneteenth festival promises food and family-friendly fun in the park. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs.
Stillwater Juneteenth Celebration
When and where: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 17, Southern Woods Park, 600 W 12 Ave., Stillwater.
Information: https://www.facebook.com/stillwatercommunityunited.
The free entertainment and family friendly activities will include a bouncy house, games with prizes, music, food and more.
Guthrie Juneteenth
When and where: 11 a.m. to 3 pm. June 17, Mineral Wells Park, 819 S Division St., Guthrie.
Information: https://www.facebook.com/GuthrieJuneteenth1865.
The festivities will include music, food trucks, vendors and a basketball 3-point contest for cash prizes. This year's theme is "Discovering Our Roots."
Tulsa Juneteenth
When and where: June 15-17, 700 N Greenwood Ave.
Information: https://www.tulsajuneteenth.org and https://www.facebook.com/tulsajuneteenth.
The free event is centered in Tulsa's historic Greenwood District. The festivities include a kick-off party, 5K race and one-mile fun, wellness experience, 5K race and one-mile fun run, children's activities, art exhibit, live performances and more.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Here's where and when to celebrate Juneteenth in Oklahoma
