Juneteenth 2021: Check out these celebrations of freedom in Broward and Palm Beach

From festivals to virtual presentations, cities throughout South Florida will be honoring and celebrating Juneteenth.

Recognized annually on June 19, the holiday honors the abolition of slavery in the United States and marks the day when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas in 1865 with news that the Civil War had ended and that the enslaved were now free — two and a half years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation that had become official Jan. 1, 1863, according to Juneteenth.com.

Since then, Juneteenth has been a day for celebrations, picnics and family gatherings. Here are the Juneteenth events planned in Broward and Palm Beach counties:

Broward Coral Springs

After a brief introduction of the history of Juneteenth, create your own symbolic quilt pillow during the Northwest Regional Library’s Freedom by a Thread event from noon to

1:30 p.m. Wednesday, June

16. Supplies will be provided for the first 20 registrants a week before the event. Patterns will be available for everyone. Register for the online event at broward.

libnet.info/event/4892697. Also, learn about the foundation and meaning of Juneteenth, how it came into being, and how it is celebrated with Donald Cleveland from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 16. Discover the relevance of Juneteenth in today’s society and more about Florida’s original Emancipation, which is in May, not June. Register for the online event at bit.ly/3yZfI42.

The city will have a free in-person Juneteenth commemoration at Sportsplex Tom Messenheimer Field, 2575 Sportsplex Drive, at 5 p.m. Saturday, June 19. The event will include the reading of the Emancipation Proclamation, Spoken Word — an oral poetic performance art — by May Reign with visual artist Jaquale Rhule as well as special performances by international blues singer and songwriter Kat Riggins, and the Valerie Tyson Band. The first-come, first-served event, which is set to run from 5 to 9 p.m., will prioritize Coral Springs residents with proof of residency. Attendees with proof of residency will receive a voucher to enter the parking lot for entry and parking for free. Pod seating will also be available on a firstcome, first-served basis. Each pod includes a table with four chairs. Attendees are encouraged to bring their lawn chairs. Specialty foods will be available for purchase along with adult beverages. Visit coralsprings.org.

Deerfield Beach

The African American Heritage Board and the city of Deerfield Beach will its inaugural two-day Juneteenth celebration on Friday, June 18 and Saturday, June 19. On Friday, Deerfield Beach and the Heritage Board will have a dinner banquet at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Deerfield Beach, 100 Fairway Drive from 7 to 9 p.m. Entry for the dinner banquet will be available only to those who register for the event. African attire is encouraged. Saturday’s event will be at the Oveta McKeithen Recreational Complex, 445 SW Second St., and is set to be headlined by a Black History mobile museum, parade, rib competition and live entertainment. No advance registration is required for Saturday’s festival. Visit deerfield-beach.com/juneteenth.

Fort Lauderdale

The Broward County Main Library’s Juneteenth celebration, Celebrating Juneteenth: Say Hello to Freedom’s Hand, tells the story through folk narratives and music that transcends from how individuals utilized various means to escape to freedom. It will take place online from

2 to 3 p.m. Thursday, June 17. Register at bit.ly/2TEBDgV.

A virtual multi-generational Juneteenth Celebration 2021 by the community Friends commemorating the cultural heritage through narrative and music will take place from 3 to 4 p.m. Friday, June 18. It is sponsored by the Broward County Library Foundation. Register at bit.ly/2SUlGmi.

Join the Broward Black Elected Officials at the African-American Research Library, 2650 Sistrunk Blvd., for a Broward Democratic Party voters’ registration initiative on Saturday, June

19. From 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., individuals can complete their voters’ registration and vote by mail sign up at the event to commemorate Juneteenth. Visit browarddemocrats.org/.

Jampacked with music and artwork by Black artists, the Black Art Brunch at C&I Studios, 541 NW First Ave., will be have a Juneteenth celebration from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 19. The Black Art Brunch will also include live performances as well as raffle prizes. Tickets to the Black Art Brunch range from $25 to $45, with the proceeds benefitting the Noir Infusion Arts Projects exhibitions, events and culture-based education programs. General admission ($25) includes Black Art Brunch entry only, while VIP admission ($45) will include the brunch entry along with access to the mimosa bar, assorted hors d’oeuvres and swag bags.

Individuals must be 21 or older to attend. Masks are required.

The NSU Art Museum, 1 E. Las Olas Blvd., will have a free virtual panel discussion called ”Looking Forward, Looking Back: Freedom, Afrofuturism and Reflections Juneteenth” at3 p.m. Saturday, June 19. Looking back at the historical context of emancipation, guest speakers will include Ransford F. Edwards, Jr., Ph.D., Kandy G. Lopez-Moreno, M.F.A. and Rachel Panton, Ph.D. as well as faculty members of Nova Southeastern University. The event will launch the museum’s new initiative “Community Voices,” which serve as a catalyst for social change. Supported by the Community Foundation of Broward, “Community Voices” will provide a new forum for community discourse as it highlights topics of identity, migration and race through discussions, multidisciplinary performances and workshops. For reservations, email moareservations@moafl. org or call 954-262-0258.

Lauderdale Lakes

City Commissioner Veronica Edwards Phillips will have a free drive-in movie night on the large soccer field at Willie L. Webb Sr. Park, 3601 NW 21st St., at 7 p.m. Saturday, June 19. They plan to show Disney’s “Queen of Katwe.” The movie will start at 8 p.m. Food trucks will be on site. Registration is required per vehicle. Pompano Beach

The Friends of the Northwest Branch Library’s annual Blues and Sweet Potato Pie Festival will be going virtual this year. Featuring the GP Band, poet Eccentrich and a special presentation from gospel star Vickie Winans, the virtual event is set to premiere at 1 p.m. Saturday, June 19 on Zoom and the Friends of the Northwest Branch Library’s Facebook page. Individuals can also view the virtual presentation later on June 19 at 7 p.m. on Facebook along with Sunday, June 20 at 11 a.m. on Facebook and 4 p.m. on Zoom. Zoom links will be sent following registration.

The Pompano Beach Cultural Affairs Department will be celebrating Juneteenth with a virtual jazz concert on Friday, June 18. The concert at the Ali Cultural Arts Center will showcase saxophonist Melton Mustafa Jr. and award-winning spoken word artist Eccentrich. The program will air for free on the city of Pompano Beach’s Facebook page. Visit pompanobeacharts.org/ programs.

Palm Beach

Virtual

Book Discussion: ”A Shot in the Moonlight” by Ben Montgomery will take place at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 16. In remembrance of Juneteenth, the discussion will be about the sensational true story of George Dinning, a freed slave, who in 1899 joined forces with a Confederate war hero in search of justice in the Jim Crow south. Presented by Royal Palm Beach Branch. Register at events.pbclibrary.org/

node/17820/register. Cooking the Books: Juneteenth Celebration! will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 19. Learn a new recipe steeped in a rich cultural heritage that you can share with family and friends. Presented by Main Library. Register at events.pbclibrary.org/

node/18156/register.

Boynton Beach Highlighted by food, entertainment, music and more, the city will have its inaugural Juneteenth festival at Sara Sims Park,

209 NW Ninth Ave., from noon to

4 p.m. Saturday, June 19. The free event will also include spoken word, children’s activities such as coloring, Jenga, Connect 4 and the Boynton Beach Police Department game truck, nonprofit booths and food from Tikiz Ice Cream and Tasty Island Delights. Performers include All or Nothing Dance Co., Goofy Certified and Big Jay. Visit boynton-beach.org/juneteenth. Delray Beach

In honor of the Juneteenth celebration, the Spady Cultural Heritage Museum and Arts Garage will welcome the return of Pat “Mother Blues” Cohen and Dr. Joan Cartwright for a concert and “Talk Back” session on Saturday, June 19. Beginning at 8 p.m., the concert will be at the Arts Garage, 94 NE Second Ave., and will be followed by a “Talk Back” session with Dr. Carthwright about women and music. In-person concert tickets range from $45 to $50 while virtual live streaming admission is $26. Visit artsgarage. org/event/pat-mother-blues-cohen/.

Riviera Beach

Juneteenth of Palm Beach County, Inc. is inviting community members to join its inaugural Juneteenth: Unity x Black Excellence Festival from 1 to 8 p.m. Saturday, June 19 at Riviera Beach Marina Village Event Center, 190 E. 13th St. The free festival will be filled with food, music, community resources, games and activities and the opportunity to shop from Blackowned businesses. Registration is required at bit.ly/3fM4456. Wellington

The Sickle Cell Foundation of Palm Beach County and Treasure Coast, Inc. are joining forces for the inaugural Redteenth Cultural Festival at the village of Wellington Amphitheater, 12100 Forest Hill Blvd., from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, June 19. Titled “Redteenth” to encompass World Sickle Cell Day and Juneteenth in one event, the cultural festival hopes to raise awareness and public support for the individuals, families and communities affected by sickle cell disease and its related conditions. The event will feature musical performances, spoken word and child-friendly arts and crafts. Registration is required at bit.ly/3fK1yMC. West Palm Beach

The Norton Museum of Art’s Summer Festival: Juneteenth Celebration will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 19 at 1450 S. Dixie Highway. Hosted by MC Wayne “Mister Trombone” Perry, the event celebrates freedom and spotlights the African American experience with live musical performances, tours, African Dance and Drum workshops, storytelling sessions by the Literacy Coalition, and a creative community art project using African print textiles led by fiber mixed media artist, Gillian Kennedy Wright. Free with museum admission. Museum admission is free for residents of Palm Beach County on Saturdays through Labor Day. Currently, the museum is offering timed ticket entry. For more information and to reserve a timed ticket, visit norton. org/visit/hours-admission. All guests are required to wear masks and maintain 6-feet separation before, during, and after the show.