ORLANDO, Fla. — For more than 150 years, June 19, known as Juneteenth, has been a day to celebrate the end of slavery in the United States.
On Friday, communities across Central Florida and the country will mark the day in 1865 when slaves in Texas learned that they, and all other slaves in the U.S., had been granted freedom.
From community festivals to yoga sessions and poetry slams, Channel 9 has compiled a guide to Juneteenth events in Central Florida:
READ: Juneteenth: What to know about the holiday that celebrates slavery’s end
2020 Juneteenth Community Celebration
The 2020 Juneteenth Community Celebration is scheduled for Friday from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Silver Star Christian Church at 7510 Silver Star Road. The event will feature free food, shopping, games, raffles and music. Organizers are asking attendees to wear masks. Click here for more information.
Black Friday Orlando — Juneteenth 2020
Organizers said Black Friday is a Scavenger Hunt and City Skip Day. “Join us for a day of celebrating Black Excellence through exploring all of the Black-Owned Businesses our city has to offer,” they said. Follow @BlackFridayOrlando on Instagram or click here for more information on how to participate.
Juneteenth Yoga & Celebration
1Raw Yoga and Natural Products, located at 541 N. Palmetto Ave., Suite 102, in Sanford, is hosting a peaceful celebration of Juneteenth from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. “Relax and release some stress from a gentle yoga session with live music followed by time to connect with one another,” organizers said. In order to maintain social distancing, reservations are required. Click here for more information.
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JUNETEENTH, “My Black is Excellent”
Dream City Event Center will present its Juneteenth celebration “My Black is Excellent" featuring Nina Skyy on Friday from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Organizers said the event will feature a night of soulful music, dancing and food. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, seating is limited so click here to make a reservation. The cover charge is $10 in advance or $20 at the door. Click here for more info.
Juneteenth Poetry Slam
Bloodhound Brew Pub and Eatery, located at 5801 Conroy Road, Orlando, will host a Juneteenth Poetry Slam from 8 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on Friday. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, seating is extremely limited. Click here to reserve your table.
Virtual Juneteenth Celebration Event
The Hannibal Square Community Land Trust will host an online event titled “Imagining Freedom: Black Community and Creating Place” on Friday beginning at 7 p.m. The event will feature a conversation between Dr. Julian Chambliss and Dr. Scot French, with three 15-minute segments with breaks in between for giveaways, and with sponsor recognition throughout the presentation. Click here for more information and to RSVP.
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Juneteenth Rally for Justice
State Rep. Geraldine Thompson invites the community to participate in a Juneteenth Rally for Justice at Bill Breeze Park in Ocoee from 10 a.m. to noon on Friday. Masks and social distancing will be required. Click here for a list of speakers, more information on how to participate, and to RSVP.
Juneteenth Freedom Day March & Block Party
Central Florida has celebrated this Freedom Day in the past with a festival, but due to COVID-19, organizers are doing a Freedom Day march with an outside block party. The group will meet at 3 p.m. at Lake Eola and march to an end point in the Parramore community for a block party. Get more details by clicking here.
Junteenth Freedom Day
There will be a free community block party at 2513 Industrial Boulevard from 5 to 10 p.m. The event will feature fireworks, food, vendors and more. Click here for more info.
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