Here are Juneteenth events happening this week in and around the Savannah region
Last year, Juneteenth was officially made a federal holiday by President Joe Biden — the first federal holiday established since Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday was approved in 1983.
Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration of the end of slavery in the United States and is observed each year on June 19. This year, the date falls on a Sunday so the federal holiday will be Monday, June 20.
Juneteenth photo essay: Passing Savannah Geechee history down in honor of Juneteenth
Maxine L. Bryant: This year, observe Juneteenth as a reminder that the living have a responsibility to keep living
Subscribe to The 912: Amplifying the Black community in Savannah, featuring Black stories, art, food and more
In the Savannah region, a number of Juneteenth celebrations will be happening across the week and weekend, including ones in Pooler, Richmond Hill and in Effingham County. At the same time, a number of local institutions will be hosting events and exhibitions to see throughout the week and holiday.
Here are some Juneteenth events and things to do in Savannah:
Ongoing
"Past Presence: Commemorating Juneteenth"
Sulfur Studios, 2301 Bull St.
"Past Presence: Commemorating Juneteenth" is an exhibition commemorating Juneteenth featuring artists from across the country whose work takes into consideration their own personal history – present or past – as it relates to the Black experience in the United States. Working in a variety of media from photography to sculpture, these artists explore themes of ancestry, modern media narratives, vulnerability and resilience.
Past Presence is a declaration of PRESENCE - of artists claiming space and demanding to be heard, artists sharing profound moments and eternal truths, artists daring to be artists in the United States of America in 2022 - 157 years after the enslaved in Texas were informed of their freedom.
On display now through June 25; jurors' talk on Sunday, June 19
Events on Thursday, June 16
“Turning Freedom Dreams into Reality: Black Activism in the Georgia Low Country”
Jepson Center, 207 W. York St.
Dr. Allison Dorsey comes to Telfair Museums and the Jepson Center to discuss how Black men and women of the Georgia Lowcountry successfully met the challenge of beginning life as freed people in the wake of the American Civil War. In analyzing their actions, the story of first freedom explores the true meaning of liberty as understood by the newly emancipated.
For local residents: Telfair Museums introduces free admission program with opening of landmark Golding exhibit
The Black population of coastal Georgia was possessed of clear-eyed goal – they sought to reverse the order of their enslaved lives. Their life choices: to fight to gain their freedom, to secure family, acquire property and to live in community, demonstrate their powerful commitment to be masters of their own lives and to control their destiny and that of their progeny.
If you go: 6 p.m. at the Jepson Center auditorium; free to anyone
Events on Friday, June 17
"Juneteenth Black Food Friday and Spades Tournament"
155 Buck Island Rd., Bluffton, S.C. 29910
On Friday, the Juneteenth Black Food Friday and Spades Tournament will feature more than 10 food trucks with lots of variety: seafood, funnel cake, BBQ, wings, etc.
This event is free to the public. This event will include a spades tournament; entry fee is $50 per team and 1st prize will be $500 cash. Team registration can be found at blufftonmlk.org.
If you go: 5-9 p.m.
"Juneteenth Soiree"
The Culturist Union, 3129 Bull St., Savannah
In celebration of The Culturist Union's Grand Opening, please join for a night of entertainment, libations, and commemoration at our Juneteenth Soiree. $50 per Ticket. Cocktail Attire.
If you go: 6:30-9 p.m.
Events on Saturday, June 18
"Tybee Juneteenth Celebration"
Tybee Beach Pier, Tybrisa St., Tybee Island, Ga.
Tybee Juneteenth Celebration Weekend will be a Black Art Festival on Tybee’s 16th Street Walter Parker Pier and Pavilion. There will be local artists and merchants selling beautiful Afro-centric wares, live music, entertainment, guest speakers and more.
If you go: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
"Juneteenth Celebration Festival"
Daffin Dog Park, 1301 E. Victory Dr.
Black & Minority Business of SE Georgia will present a two day Juneteenth Celebration at Daffin Park on Saturday and Sunday, featuring Christian recording artist Todd Galbret along with various local artists, poets, storytellers, dancers and historians.
There will be activities for the family and community, including bounce houses, water slides, vendors, food trucks and wine-tasting.
Maxine L. Bryant: Total emancipation of Black people remains deficient in Savannah, nation
On Saturday, beginning at 9 a.m., there will be a scavenger hunt with a grand prize of $1000 awarded to the first-place team. Participants are allowed 2-4 people per team with an entry fee of $200 per team.
If you go: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday
"Juneteenth Free Family Day at Telfair Museums"
Jepson Center, 207 W. York St.
Juneteenth Family Day at the Jepson Center returns with a libation ceremony, drumming and an appearance by the African Spirit at 1 p.m. From 1-4 p.m., the museum will offer hands on art-making activities for families as well as artist demonstrations of Gullah Geechee basket making by Gregory Grant and dollmaking by artist Theresa Martin.
For the first time in three years, the event will present a full slate of performances including storytelling by Jamal Touré, African dance by Kwanzaa Collective 365, and a rousing musical performance by the Bailey Sounding Angels of Joy from the United House of Prayer. Admission is free to all local residents: Chatham, Bryan, Liberty, Effingham, Beaufort, and Jasper Counties.
If you go: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
"Juneteenth Savannah"
Wells Park, W. 38th St., Savannah, Ga., 31415
The Daughters of Mary Magdalene and the City of Savannah presents the Cultural Juneteenth Music Festival on Saturday at 10 a.m. in Wells Park. The line-up for the Juneteenth Motorcade Parade will be at the Civic Center at 9 a.m.
The event is free and open to the public, but bring a lawn chair to catch the parade.
Lice music entertainment include the melodic sound of the Tommy Stokes Band, the award-winning gospel soloist, Mr. E. Larry McDuffie and the St. John the Baptist male choir, the spiritual sound of solo artists Chosen and Lance Smith, guitar soloist Brother Balance, tap dancing by Asia Grant, the Latino Heritage Dancers, drummers from the African Village and rapper Raserch.
If you go: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
"Juneteenth - Celebration of Culture!"
521 Cedar St., Richmond Hill, Ga., 31324
The Bryan County NAACP Young Adult Committee will host the 2nd annual Juneteenth: A Celebration of Culture event in Richmond Hill. The event will feature live entertainment, Gullah Geechee culture, an arts and crafts fair, and more.
The event is free and open to the public.
If you go: noon to 5 p.m.
"2022 Bluffton Juneteenth Celebration"
Burnt Church Distillery, 120 Bluffton Rd.
The annual Bluffton Juneteenth Celebration will be held from Friday until Sunday. See above for Friday events.
On Saturday, from 4-10 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Burnt Church Distillery will host the Annual Bluffton Juneteenth Celebration. This family-friendly event is free and will feature Gullah vendors, food trucks, live entertainment and a brunch on Sunday.
If you go: Saturday from 4-10 p.m.; Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Events for Sunday, June 19
"Tybee Wade In and Juneteenth Celebration"
Tybee Beach Pier, Tybrisa St., Tybee Island, Ga.
The Tybee MLK Human Rights Organization will host their annual Tybee Wade In on Sunday morning followed by the official Juneteenth celebration. The celebration will feature vendors, entertainment, guest speakers, live music and performing artists.
If you go: wade in - 9:30-10:30 a.m.; celebration - 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
"Pooler Juneteenth Celebration"
Tanger Outlets Savannah, 200 Tanger Outlets Blvd.
On Sunday, the Pooler Juneteenth Celebration Committee will host the first annual Juneteenth Festival at Tanger Outlets Savannah. The event is free and open to the public and includes a health fair.
Food trucks such as Chazito's Latin Cuisine, Sweet Spice and Jerk Shack will be there along with vendors such as the League of Women Voters of Coastal Georgia, AARP Georgia, Live Oak Public Libraries, The Beach Institute and West Chatham YMCA.
Learn more at poolerjuneteenth.org
If you go: noon to 5 p.m.
Zach Dennis is the editor of the arts and culture section and weekly Do Savannah alt-weekly publication at the Savannah Morning News and can be reached at zdennis@savannahnow.com.
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Juneteenth events Savannah GA: Things to do this weekend to celebrate
