Cincinnati's Juneteenth Freedom Festival - June 15-16, 2019

June 14, 2019

Copyright 2018 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Greg Jackson and the Zapp Anthology performed as the crowd danced along.
Photo by Joseph Fuqua II for WCPOCopyright 2018 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

Juneteenth celebrates the end of legal slavery in the United States in 1865 after the Civil War. On June 19, 1865, a Union General arrived in Galveston, TX, and re-issued Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation. Thus the name “Juneteenth.” Texans have been celebrating Junteenth ever since.

Cincinnati began our Annual Festival in 1988.

Cincinnati’s 32nd annual Juneteenth festival will be held Saturday and Sunday, June 15 and 16. The family friendly free festival, which celebrates the end of American slavery, includes many attractions for all ages. The festival begins at noon on Saturday with a parade of flags representing the origins and forced destinations of Africans during a slave trade that lasted for more than 300 years.

The festival continues through Saturday afternoon and evening with two stages of music (blues, jazz, R&B, Latin Jazz, African dancing), drum lines and a praise dance showcase, organized activities and free books for children, Health , History, and education pavilions, historical interpreters, shopping, and, of course, great food.

On Sunday, June 16, Juneteenth presents an afternoon of inspirational music--the Juneteenth Father's Day Concert. The concert features numerous outstanding choirs, liturgical dancers, groups, and soloists.

PARKING & TRANSPORTATION
  • Park free at Association for Blind on Gilbert Ave….Shuttle Van to Mirror Lake
  • # 4 Bus to Gilbert & Eden Park Dr.


FOR MORE INFORMATION:
            Call: (513) 631-7289
         Email: juneteenthcincinnati@gmail.com

Fredrick Smith and with Jacque Smith posed at United States Color Soldier and his wife agt their booth. Photo by Joseph Fuqua II for WCPO Copyright 2018 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Left to right Fredrick Smith and with Jacque Smith posed at United States Color Soldier and his wife at their booth.
Photo by Joseph Fuqua II for WCPOCopyright 2018 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved

Saturday, June 15, 2019  12:00–9:00

Festivities start at noon and continue with two stages of free entertainment thru 9:00 pm.
  • R&B, Latin, Blues, Gospel
    • Basic Truth
    • Elevation Band
    • Ms. Jazz
    • Jazz Renaissance
    • Rameer Roebuck
    • Last Boppers
    • S.T.A.R.S.
    • Cincy Brazil Samba Dance
    • James McCray Singers
    • Unique Soul
  • Evening feature: The Deele
  • Living History
  • Health Screening
    • Sickle Cell
    • Diabetes
    • HIV
    • Etc.
  • Shopping
  • Food
  • - Baby Rest Station


Sunday, June 16, 2019  2:30-6:00

Juneteenth Father’s Day Concert in Eden Park’s  Seasongood Pavilion

Treat Dad (& the family) to a relaxed afternoon of inspirational music.

Carrying on a tradition of June concerts in Eden Park that began in the 1920’s featuring African American artists and audiences.
  • John Thornburn
  • Empty Vessels
  • Cincinnati Gospel Workshop Choir
  • Praise Ekeng
  • Prodigal Sunz
  • Dunimis Sign & Mime
  • Winds of Praise
  • Renee Hill
  • Tamika Purce
  • Rhetorical Spirit of Praise


Photo from Juneteenth Festival website (2018)
Photo from Juneteenth Festival website (2018)