For many, last year’s racial justice protests in the aftermath of the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbury and the national resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement spurred the desire to honor Black lives in any way people could.
Last summer saw businesses taking active steps, such as donating a portion of their profits to activist organizations, hosting critical discussions around diversity and inclusion and recognizing Juneteenth as a paid holiday for Franklin County employees. Many local businesses followed suit, including Columbus Underground.
Columbus has several ways you can celebrate Juneteenth this weekend. Read on for a variety of community celebrations, and add any we missed in the comments!
Read about the history of Juneteenth here.
Juneteenth Celebration w/ GGC
King Arts Complex, June 17
The Growing and Growth Collective hosts a Juneteenth Celebration at King Arts Complex Thursday, June 17, featuring garden service projects, food trucks and a dedication ceremony for the Julialynne Walker Gateway Learning Garden.
The event is free and takes place from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Find more information here.
Juneteenth Celebration
Culture Lounge, June 18-20
This three-day event by Culture and Black Yoga Collective takes place at Culture Lounge, 6170 Busch Blvd. The event will feature local vendors and businesses as well as live performances, a bounce house, face painting, line dancing, a live panel discussion, food, art, poetry and a car show.
Free yoga, meditation and fitness classes will also take place as part of the 2nd Annual Black Yoga Festival.
Activities start Friday, June 18 at noon with free admission to the event. Proceeds will benefit scholarships to “provide access and opportunity to students of color in health, wellness and self-care.”
Visit Eventbrite for more information.
Juneteenth Freedom Day
King Arts Complex, June 19
Supported by the City of Columbus, Greater Columbus Arts Council, Columbus Urban League and others, the King Arts Complex will host “Columbus Emancipated: Juneteenth Freedom Day,” from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, June 19.
The free event will feature food, games, music, art, vendors, health screenings, COVID testing and vaccinations, as well as information sessions on higher education, gardening, record expungements, affordable housing and more.
For more information, visit kingartscomplex.com/event/juneteenth-freedom-day.
Juneteenth Jubilee
Goodale Park, June 19
Black Liberation Movement Central Ohio leads the organizing efforts for the Juneteenth Jubilee, a celebration taking place Saturday, June 19 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Goodale Park.
The event is free and will feature vendors, performances, food and speakers. Find more information on the Facebook event page.
We Are Maroon Juneteenth Celebration
MPACC BoxPark, June 19
Maroon Arts Group’s Juneteenth celebration takes place at the MPACC BoxPark, 925 Mt. Vernon Ave., from 1 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 19 and will feature live performances, workshops and activities. This event is free to attend.
Find more information on Eventbrite.
Juneteenth Community Festival
Phenix Banquet Center, June 19
Hosted by the Phenix Banquet Center, 2101 Noe Bixby Rd., from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, June 19, this festival will feature music, live performances, food trucks and vendors outdoors in the center’s Phenix Venue Complex. Sponsors and partners include Cameron Mitchell Restaurants, COTA, Kaleidoscope Youth Center, WCBE 90.5 FM and WSYX ABC 6.
Tickets are $5 with free parking available. Guests are discouraged from bringing outside food and drinks, large backpacks, weapons or pets.
Find more information here.
Celebration of Juneteenth at Kelton House
Kelton House Museum and Garden, June 19
The Kelton House Museum and Garden will host a celebration from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, June 19, featuring programming from the museum.
Executive Director Sarah Richardt will give a special talk about the Hartway and Lawrence family history, guests can create their own family flag and relax in the Kelton House garden, and drinks will be provided.
The temporary exhibit Create Your Own History by Columbus artist Catherine “Catz” Stanford will also be on display, featuring historic figures related to the underground railroad, locally and nationally.
Admission is free. Find more information here.
Juneteenth Love and Light Rally and BBQ
Statehouse, Goodale Park, June 20
A Juneteenth Love and Light rally will take place Sunday, June 20, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., starting at the Ohio Statehouse before moving to Goodale Park for an BBQ where organizers will “pass out 600 free meals to the community.” The free event will also feature vendors, live performances and food trucks.
Find more information here.