Juneteenth is the newest federal holiday and celebration in Lakeland.
The holiday, signed into federal law by President Joe Biden, celebrates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. It is marked June 19, the day in 1865 when Union soldiers led by Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, to announce the end of the Civil War and the freedom of the enslaved.
It was over two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued on January 1, 1863.
Juneteenth celebrations focus on the day’s historical roots, its lasting impact on the Black communities and celebrating the cultural heritage of Black Americans in their food, music and more.
Here’s a list of Juneteenth events in Lakeland:
The Juneteenth Heritage and Cultural Preservation Association Inc. will host its 31st annual Juneteenth Observance on Saturday June 17 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Jackson Park, 1130 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Lakeland. The event features free food, music, health stations, voter registration, life skills and a hot dog-eating contest.
Juneteenth Community Observance offers a free celebration of freedom and community honoring African American achievements, providing education and healing Saturday from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Coleman-Bush Building, 1104 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave, Lakeland. The event will feature a hair fashion show with stylist Nedra Butler, barber Ken Davis II and performances by Crystal World of Dance. Suggested donation is $10. Call 863-271-3386 for more information.
A Juneteenth Corvette Car Show will be held June 24 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Lake Mirror Amphitheater, 121 Lake Ave., Lakeland. Pre-Registration costs $20 through June 23, with day-of registration starting at 8:30 a.m. at a fee of $25 per vehicle. Trophies will be awarded. More information is available, including a registration form at juneteenthflorida.org.
The Juneteenth Polk County inaugural film festival will be held July 1 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., at Polk State College’s Lakeland Campus, 3425 Winter Lake Road, Lakeland.