Juneteenth 2024: Your guide to Oregon celebrations (2024)

Juneteenth, commemorating the liberation of enslaved people in the United States, is June 19. Known as America’s second Independence Day, Juneteenth has been recognized by the Black community since 1865 and became a federal holiday in 2021. Oregon officially recognized the holiday in 2022.

Across the state, Oregonians will honor this historic day with a variety of events featuring activism, arts, music, and culture. Here is your guide to some of the many celebrations taking place in Oregon.

Juneteenth Freedom Celebration: The Equitable Giving Circle is hosting a family-centered celebration for Black, Indigenous and people of color in the community, promising an afternoon of community, barbecue, line dancing, spades, vendors, field day activities, a DJ and more. Noon-4 p.m. Saturday, June 8, Irvington Elementary, 1320 N.E. Brazee St., free to attend, RSVP for the event online; equitablegivingcircle.org/events

Collages of Freedom — Honoring Our Ancestors: A special Juneteenth program at the Sellwood-Moreland Library will honor Black heritage through the art of collage, reflecting on the ongoing struggle for rights and justice by Black Americans. 1-3 p.m. Saturday, June 15, Sellwood-Moreland Library, 7860 S.E. 13th Ave.; free to attend; multcolib.org/events-classes, search “Juneteenth.”

Black Liberation Ride: The ninth annual Black Liberation Ride is a kid-friendly, inclusive community bike ride celebrating Juneteenth, open to all rider levels and centered on Black and brown communities.The ride will start at Irving Park, and finish at Lillis Albina Park for the Juneteenth Oregon Celebration. 10 a.m. Saturday, June 15, Irving Park dog park, 707 N.E. Fremont St.; free to attend; shift2bikes.org/calendar

Juneteenth Oregon: Portland’s annual community festival celebrating Juneteenth will feature food, music, vendors and educational activities at Lillis-Albina City Park. The event will kick off with the Clara Peoples Freedom Parade at 11 a.m. Saturday, starting at King School. Noon-7 p.m. Saturday, June 15, Lillis-Albina Park, North Flint and Russell streets; free to attend; juneteenthor.com

Juneteenth & Sip: This paint and sip event for artists of all skill levels is hosted by Empress Rules and She Bop! The event is for 21 and older; a ticket will include supplies, tacos and a drink. 5:30-9 p.m. Saturday, June 15, 8524 S.E. 17th Ave.; Purchase tickets online; eventbrite.com, search “Juneteenth and Sip.”

Eight Seconds Juneteenth Rodeo: Black rodeo culture is returning to Portland for a bigger second year, featuring food, vendors and a competition with a $60,000 prize. Doors open 3 p.m., show begins at 7 p.m. Sunday, June 16, Veterans Memorial Coliseum, 300 N. Ramsay Way; purchase tickets online; 8secondsrodeo.com

The Miracles Club Juneteenth Celebrations: The Miracles Club is hosting two Juneteenth celebrations back-to-back. Head to Dawson Park for a celebration with food, free haircuts, a domino tournament, sports contests, a TikTok dance contest and an art station. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday, June 18, Dawson Park, 1 N. Stanton St.; free to attend.

On June 19, there will be a barbecue with guest speakers, live music, vendors and activities for kids at the Miracles Club. Noon-6 p.m. Wednesday, June 19, Miracles Club, 4200 N.E. Martin Luther King Jr Blvd.; free to attend; miraclesclub.org/special-events

Juneteenth Artist Talk: Isaka Shamsud-Din will lead an artist talk at the Black Gallery to discuss his current show, “The Emancipation of Isaka Shamsud-Din: A Liberated Archives Exploration of Fine Art.” 4-6 p.m. Wednesday, June 19, The Black Gallery, 916 N.W. Flanders St.; free to attend, reserve a spot online; eventbrite.com, search “Isaka Shamsud-Din.”

Juneteenth Cookout: Celebrate Juneteenth with a cookout party by Chef Montgomery with food, an open bar, live music, dancing and photo opportunities. 9 p.m.-3 a.m. Wednesday, June 19, 205 N.W. Fourth Ave.; purchase tickets online; eventbrite.com, search “Juneteenth cookout.”

Juneteenth Freedom Celebration: The third Annual Juneteenth Freedom Celebration returns to Vancouver with live music, attractions, art displays and local vendors hosted by Odyssey World International Education Services. 10 a.m. -5 p.m. Saturday, June 15, Esther Short Park, 605 Esther St., Vancouver; free to attend; jfcvancouver.org

Washington County Juneteenth: This year’s event features food, music, art, inspiring speakers and a diverse range of Black-owned business vendors under the theme of “The Reunion,” honoring the legacy and resilience of the Black community. Noon-6:30 p.m. Saturday, June 8, Jerry Willey Plaza, 943 N.E. Orenco Plaza Loop, Hillsboro; free to attend; washingtoncountychamberor.com/juneteenthcelebration

Milwaukie Juneteenth Celebration: Milwaukie’s annual celebration invites the community to celebrate, reflect and amplify Black voices with music, vendors, food, face painting, games and more. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, June 15, Ball-Michel Park, 9781 S.E. Stanley Ave., Milwaukie; free to attend; milwaukieoregon.gov/events/juneteenth

Tigard Juneteenth Celebration: Tigard’s annual Juneteenth Celebration, in partnership with the Tigard-Tualatin School District, includes free meals, live performances and various activities for all ages, welcoming the community rain or shine. 3-6 p.m. Saturday, June 15, Cook Park, picnic shelter 2, 17005 S.W. 92nd Ave., Tigard; free to attend; tigard-or.gov, search “Juneteenth.”

Juneteenth “Freedom Day” Celebration: The Oregon City Juneteenth celebration features speakers, music, poetry, vendors and a panel discussion on history, racism and belonging. 2-5 p.m. Saturday, June 15, Oregon City Library Park & Pioneer Community Center, 606 John Adams St., Oregon City; free to attend; orcity.org/3174/Juneteenth

Lake Oswego Juneteenth: The City of Lake Oswego is teaming up with Respond to Racism to mark Juneteenth. The event features a keynote by Libra Forde of Women’s Foundation of Oregon, performances by McDaniel Cheer Team, and a program of music, dance, nonprofit booths and food vendors. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday, June 16, Millennium Plaza Park, 200 First St., Lake Oswego; free to attend; ci.oswego.or.us/parksrec/2024-juneteenth

Wilsonville Juneteenth Celebration: Wilsonville’s fourth annual Juneteenth Celebration, sponsored by Swire Coca-Cola, features a keynote by Caldera Arts’ Kimberly Howard Wade, music by KMHD’s Bryson Wallace and community engagement activities, organized by the City’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, June 19, Town Center Park, 29600 S.W. Park Place, Wilsonville; free to attend; wilsonvillelibrary.org/bc-diversity, search “Juneteenth.”

In Freedom’s Footsteps – Community Walk: The second Juneteenth Community History Walk offers guided and self-guided tours around downtown Salem to explore the legacy of the Rev. Daniel Jones, a Civil Rights advocate. Limited spots for guided tours; pre-registration is recommended. 9 a.m.-12:15 p.m., Wednesday, June 19, beginning at the Heritage Center, 1313 Mill St. S.E., Salem; free to attend. Register for the event online; willametteheritage.org/freedomsfootsteps

Albany Juneteenth: The NAACP Linn Benton Branch is holding its annual Juneteenth celebration with food, music, a Black-owned Business Expo and activities for the whole family. 3-7 p.m. Wednesday, June 19, Linn Benton Community College, 6500 Pacific Blvd. S.W., Albany; free to attend; linnbentonnaacp.com/Events

Juneteenth, Newberg: This Juneteenth commemorative celebration features speakers Dr. Charlene Williams, deputy superintendent of public instruction for Oregon, and Dr. Libra Forde, executive director of the Women’s Foundation of Oregon. The event will include a trivia contest, music, food, speakers, table games and community building. 4-5:30 p.m. Thursday, June 20, Chehalem Cultural Center, 415 E. Sheridan St., Newberg; free to attend; newbergjuneteenth.weebly.com

Black in the Gorge Juneteenth Celebration: The second annual Juneteenth celebration returns to Hood River with food, dance, a community collaborative art project and music by Boka Marimba of Portland and the Juneteenth Community Freedom Choir of Hood River. 3-6 p.m. Sunday, June 16, Jackson Park, May and 13th streets, Hood River; free to attend; facebook.com, search “Black in the Gorge.”

Juneteenth Central Oregon Jubilee: Bend’s two-day festival, organized by The Father’s Group, promises a vibrant celebration with a focus on education, entertainment and community. The festival will include African American cuisine, art, music and educational activities. 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Saturday, June 15 and Sunday, June 16, 11 Drake Park, 777 N.W. Riverside Blvd., Bend; free to attend; juneteenthcentralor.com

Freedom Celebration: This Lincoln City Parks & Recreation Juneteenth celebration features food, live music, speakers and an exhibit from Oregon Black Pioneers. The event is in collaboration with Lincoln City Cultural Center, Friends of the Driftwood Public Library, Explore Lincoln City and the North Lincoln County Historical Museum. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, June 15, Lincoln City Cultural Center Plaza, 540 N.E. Highway 101, Lincoln City; free to attend; explorelincolncity.com/events, search “Juneteenth.”

Juneteenth — The Family Reunion: The South Coast Equity Coalition in partnership with the Juneteenth Celebration Committee is hosting Coos and Curry County’s Annual Juneteenth Celebration with multiple locations on the southern Oregon coast including Coos Bay, Bandon and Brookings. June 18-21, times and locations vary; free to attend; southcoastequity.org

Pear Blossom Park: BASE Southern Oregon’s annual Juneteenth Celebration features live music, vendors, a kids’ zone and more. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, June 15, Pear Blossom Park, 312 E. Fourth St., Medford; free to attend; facebook.com/baseoregon, search “Juneteenth.”

— Chiara Profenna covers religion, faith and cultural connections. Reach her at 503-221-4327; cprofenna@oregonian.com or @chiara_profenna

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