This week, celebrate Juneteenth in Augusta, hear live music, take in a ball game or two
Activities in Augusta this week include numerous Juneteenth celebrations, live music, baseball at SRP Park, outdoor markets and more. Catch a movie or take a ride in a poker run for charity.
Juneteenth celebrations
Band of Brothers Augusta in partnership with Augusta Technical College is presenting the 6th Annual Juneteenth Augusta Week with events June 16-19.
Kicking things off will be a Juneteenth Art Show from noon to 2 p.m. Wednesday at Augusta Tech's ITC Auditorium, Building 1000.
On Thursday, the organizations invite volunteers to come out at 8:30 a.m. for a Community Cleanup at Gordon Highway and Madrid Drive. Also Thursday, will be a Health Forum from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Humanitree House with speaker Baruti Tucker.
A new event has been added for Friday: Mahogany Lounge: Juneteenth Edition starts at 8:30 p.m. at the HEAL Complex at Paine College, at 1255 Druid Park Ave., and will feature spoken word poetry and live entertainment. Doors open at 8 p.m. For tickets, visit https://mahoganyloungejuneteenthedition.eventbee.com/.
Wrapping up the weekend will be the Juneteenth Augusta Festival at Augusta Common from noon to 8 p.m. Sunday. The day's activities will include speakers, health and wellness checks, musical and spoken word entertainment, children's activities, exhibits and vendors. Admission is free.
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On Saturday, June 18, the National Action Network of the CSRA in collaboration with the City of Augusta, Greater Augusta Interfaith Coalition and the Lucy C. Laney Museum of Black History will offer a parade and Juneteenth celebration at Dyess Park. The day's events will kick off with a parade starting at 9:30 a.m. featuring the Academy of Richmond County Purple Pride Marching Band and the T.W. Josey High School Drumline Alumni versus the Lucy Laney High School Drumline Alumni in a "Drumline Stick-Off." The celebration continues from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the park located at Ninth and D'Antignac streets with music by deejay JA Boogie, food and apparel vendors, inflatables and other activities. For more information, call (210) 571-5247.
Also Saturday, the Augusta Museum of History in partnership with Westobou and the Jessye Norman School of the Arts will offer a Juneteenth Celebration from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Events exploring the meaning of Juneteenth and African American culture will be available in the museum rotunda free of charge. Museum admission is $5, $4 for seniors, $3 for ages 6-18 and free for ages 5 and younger. Visit augustamuseum.org to learn more.
In North Augusta, the "Juneteenth Mega Festival: Celebrating Freedom & Southern Soul" will be from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday at The Landing on Bogus Hill, 23 Bogus Hill, located off I-20 Exit. 5. The day's events will include retail and food vendors, a kids zone, a gospel music showcase and keynote speakers. In the evening, a Southern Soul concert will feature Lyfe Jennings, Shaun Milli, West Love and other performers, ending with a fireworks show. The celebration is presented by Vision2020&Beyond, a local 501(c)3 corporation committed to health, education, and community. Tickets are available by texting "Juneteenth2022" to (844) 764-2010 or on Eventbrite.
Baseball, anyone?
The Augusta GreenJackets have another home series June 14-19 with the Charleston RiverDogs at SRP Park. Game time is 7:05 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 12:05 p.m. Wednesday, 6:05 p.m. Saturday (plus fireworks after the game) and 1:35 p.m. Sunday. Find game-day promotions and specials and get tickets at https://www.milb.com/augusta or follow them on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Outdoor concerts
The 48th annual Hopelands Gardens Concert Series continues in Aiken with performances starting at 6:30 p.m. Mondays through June 27. Admission is free. Parking is available at Green Boundary Club, 780 Whiskey Road, with a short walk across Whiskey Road to the garden. Handicap parking is available at Rye Patch on Berrie Road. Performing next are: the Day Trippers on June 13, Jaycie and Brooke on June 20 and, to wrap up the season on June 27, the Parris Island Marine Band returns. In the case of inclement weather, performances are moved to the Lessie B. Price Senior & Youth Center at 841 Edgefield Ave. NW.
The Evenings in Appleby Garden Concert Series is back on Tuesdays in June. Music starts at 8 p.m. rain or shine ay 2260 Walton Way. On June 14, Andy Reid performs, followed by the Doug Flowers Band June 21 and JaVonne Jones on June 28.
A movie night
Screen on the Green presents "Spider-man: No Way Home" at 6 p.m. June 17 at Lakeside Park, 2040 Panther Crossing in Evans. Admission is free with vendors on site for concessions.
A poker run
Columbia County West Rotary Club will hold a Poker Run on Saturday, June 18 – registration starts at 9 a.m. The cost is $20 per biker and $15 per additional rider and includes lunch, door prizes and raffles. Proceeds benefit the club's community service projects.
And a gun show
The Grovetown/Augusta Gun Show will be presented by Gem Capitol Shows from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 18, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 19, at Columbia County Exhibition Center in Grovetown. Admission is $12 with children under 12 admitted free with an adult.
Ongoing
Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience continues through June 25 at James Brown Arena. The exhibit uses hi-tech projectors to create huge, multi-dimensional images of Van Gogh's works across the walls and floors with the artwork brought to life. Tickets are available online at vangoghaugusta.com.
The Evans Market – offering a variety of vendors – opens from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays at The Plaza, 7015 Evans Town Center Blvd.
The Market in The Alley series in downtown Aiken is happening from 6-8 p.m. on Thursdays in June. Visitors can hear live music and shop for produce, crafts, baked goods and other finds. The series is a partnership between the City of Aiken Parks, Recreation & Tourism Department and Aiken Downtown Development Association. The Aiken County Farmers Market is also open 7:30-11:30 a.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 115 Williamsburg St. Learn more about both events at www.visitaikensc.com.
The Augusta Market is open Saturdays at the Eighth Street Plaza in downtown Augusta from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission is free to experience a variety of foods, produce, gifts and fun.
This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Augusta Juneteenth events, live music, baseball game: Things to do
