Juneteenth is around the corner. Here's how you can celebrate in the Valley this weekend.

Katelyn Waltemyer and Monique Calello, Staunton News Leader
·3 min read
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Whether you live in Staunton, Waynesboro or Augusta County, there are plenty of options to celebrate Juneteenth this weekend.

We have compiled a list of all the events happening in the Shenandoah Valley in honor of the holiday. Here they are:

Staunton's Juneteenth celebration

Those wishing to celebrate African-American culture in honor of Juneteenth will have the opportunity June 18 at Frontier Culture Museum located at 1290 Richmond Avenue from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The museum will have a wide variety of entertainment options from presentations, performances, videos and more.

Some of the events include:

  • Noon — Welcome and introduction: Sheila Ahmadi, chairperson

  • 12:45 p.m. — Former Staunton Vice Mayor Ophie Kier gives a presentation on the Building Bridges: What we lost exhibit

  • 1:30 p.m. — Children's sack race

  • 2:40 p.m. — Musical performer Powerhouse Youth Praise Team

  • 4 p.m. — “What the black man wants” video speech by Frederick Douglass

  • 4:30 p.m. — Lady Wyatt performance

  • 5 p.m. — Raffle drawing

Food trucks like Backyard Gourmet and Ubon Thai will be at the museum, and an arts and crafts station will be open from noon to 5 p.m. for children. There will even be a COVID vaccination clinic in the museum's Education Theatre from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

"Come and experience the influence of West African foods on American culture and learn about Mt. Tabor Church, one of the oldest African American Churches in Augusta County," Frontier Culture Museum's website says.

For more information: 'African American history is American history': Shenandoah Valley Juneteenth

Staunton's Woodrow Wilson Museum will also have a special guided tour by museum curator Andrew Phillips Sunday, June 19, from noon to 1 p.m. that honors the emancipation of enslaved African-Americans. The tour is free to the public.

Staunton City has also extended it's weekend-long Shop and Dine Out Downtown event, where a portion of Beverley Street is closed so restaurants and businesses can have more outside seating, to Tuesday June 21 at 7:30 a.m.

Waynesboro's Juneteenth lineup

Sunday, June 19, at Ridgeview Park in Waynesboro will be filled with live music, performances, food trucks and more from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Here's a glimpse at other fun-filled events this Sunday:

  • Charles While, editor and owner of The Informant newspaper in Buckingham County will give a presentation on the history of Juneteenth

Poetry readings

  • Latoya Garrison, Staunton

  • Latoya Sharpless

  • Christ Tabernacle, Waynesboro

Gospel singers

  • Clarence Eldridge, Buckingham

  • Rev. Eric Luck, White Hall

  • Jackie Black and Heather's Angels

  • Sadie Miller, Waynesboro

  • Mt. Salem Baptist Church, Staunton

  • Rev. John Butler, Shiloh Baptist Church, Waynesboro

Folk music

  • Myer Joy, Nelson County

  • Mylie Civil

Smooth R&B singing/voice

  • Christine Nelson, Stuarts Draft

  • Joe Pettis, Waynesboro

African drumming

  • Mae Stoll, Staunton

There will also be performances by Praise Angel Dancers of Shiloh Baptist Church, singer and musician George Hunter and the Buffalo Soldiers.

Attendees can grab food at Brandon Curry's Backyard Gourmet and Troy & Maxicelia Robinson Order Up.

For more information: Waynesboro's Juneteenth celebration coming to Ridgeview Park

Celebrate Juneteenth around the Shenandoah Valley

Harrisonburg's Magpie Diner is hosting a Juneteenth celebration Sunday, June 19, from 3-8 p.m. in downtown Harrisonburg. There will be live music, local vendors and barbecue.

Lexington will have a Juneteenth celebration from 1-6 p.m. in Richardson Park on Sunday, June 19. The event is hosted by Project Horizon and will feature live music, performances, presentations and promotion of Black-owned businesses.

More: 'Dignity and respect': The stories behind Black-owned businesses in Shenandoah Valley

More: Looking for black-owned businesses? Here's a list for Staunton, Augusta County and Waynesboro

— Katelyn Waltemyer (she/her) is the government watchdog reporter for The News Leader. Have a news tip on local government? Or a good feature? You can reach Katelyn at kwaltemyer@newsleader.com. Follow her on Twitter @Kate_Waltemyer.

This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Shenandoah Valley ready to celebrate Juneteenth this weekend