Juneteenth is right around the corner and there are lots of ways to celebrate it in Indianapolis.
Juneteenth, which falls on June 19th, celebrates the day in 1865 that news of the Emancipation Proclamation reached the enslaved people of Galveston more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the law freeing them.President Joe Biden recognized the day as a federal holiday in 2021.
This year, the actual Juneteenth falls on a Wednesday, but there are lots of events in the days leading up to it, over the weekend, and even some after the day itself.From Indy’s Juneteenth parade and festival this Saturday to a gospel and blues concert at Indiana Landmarks, there’s a celebration for everyone, many of which are free.
Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site Juneteenth Foodway Festival
4:30 to 8 p.m., Friday, 1230 N. Delaware St., bhpsite.org, free.
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More than 30 Black-owned restaurants, food trucks and retailers will gather at the home of America’s 23rd president. The festival honors the first Black woman to become the White House’s head chef: Laura “Dolly” Johnson, who cooked for Harrison and his family. Visitors can purchase $20 “early-bird” tickets at the bhpsite.org to enter the festival an hour early.
Visitors can sample food from Generations Pie Company, The Jollof Buka, and many other vendors.
Indy Juneteenth Parade
10 a.m., Saturday, Indiana Avenue & Blackford Avenue, indyjuneteenth.org, free.
This year’s parade will be led by Grand Marshal Hon. Geoffrey A. Gaither and is sponsored by Old National Bank.
Indy Juneteenth 7th Annual Celebration
Noon, Saturday, 601 W. New York St., indyjuneteenth.org, free.
The festival immediately follows the parade at noon in Military Park. Kut Klose, Deaon Forever and many other artists will perform live. There will be a vendor’s village, a kids’ zone and a wellness party.
Indiana State Museum Juneteenth Celebration: History, Health & the Arts
10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, 650 W. Washington St., indianamuseum.org, free.
The Indiana State Museum’s Juneteenth Celebration will feature performances from Elijah Stevens, a drum circle expert and the Epiphany Dance Collective. The Asante Art Institute will give a performance about the history of Juneteenth. Visitors will be able to leave their mark on a collaborative community mural. Because the theme of the event is “History, Health and the Arts,” there will be a documentary about Black Indiana cycling legend Major Taylor and presentations about bike safety. The museum's regular exhibits will also be open.
Elsewhere in the state, the Levi and Catharine Coffin, T.C. Steele and Whitewater Canal state historic sites in Fountain City, Nashville, and Metamora respectively will be open at the same time and also have free admission. The Coffin home was known as the “Grand Central Station of the Underground Railroad.”
Eiteljorg Museum Juneteenth and Jazz Community Celebration
11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, 500 W. Washington St., eiteljorg.org, free.
The museum has a string of performances scheduled, including a performance by saxophonist Rob Dixon. There will also be a poetry reading, drum circle and a performance called “Str8 Up Frederick Douglass” by the Asante Art Institute. Visitors who arrive at 10:30 can go on a museum tour called “African Americans in Art.”
The Center for Black Literature & Culture at Central Library Book Fest and Juneteenth Celebration
11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Central Library, 40 East Saint Clair Street, https://www.indypl.org/locations/central-library/center-for-black-literature-and-cultureThe seventh annual book fest will feature performances by Poet Laureate Januarie York, a feature film screening from IU Bloomington’s Black Film Center & Archive, African drumming by Siteaw Inc., and a music performance by Jamie Johnson.
Arts for Lawrence Juneteenth Jubilee
4 p.m., Saturday, 8920 Otis Ave., Lawrence; free.
This free event at the Fort Ben Cultural Campus will have live music performances, food trucks and art displays.
Crown Hill Funeral Home and Cemetery Annual Juneteenth Celebration
4 to 8 p.m., Saturday, 700 38th St., free.
A lineup of musicians including Bashiri Asad and saxophonist Rob Dixon will perform in the historic graveyard to celebrate Juneteenth.
USA Boxing Juneteenth & Father’s Day Celebration
2 p.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday, 2186 N. Sherman Dr., indyjuneteenth.org, $20 for adults and $5 for kids.
This “amateur boxing showcase celebrating freedom” features 15 boxing bouts. There will be food and a full bar available. Following the event at 8 p.m. is Indy Juneteenth Father’s Day Knockout Comedy show, where performers will make jokes in the ring. Tickets for the comedy show can be purchased separately at the same website and are $20.
MXP Shop Juneteenth Celebration and Vendor Fair
Noon to 5 p.m., Sunday, 7826 North Michigan Road, facebook.com/msfranklin.phirishop, free.
MXP shop, a Black-owned boutique and venue, will hold a Juneteenth celebration with music and live entertainment.
Indiana Landmarks Juneteenth Black Heritage Concert: Gospel and Blues - The Roots of It All
6 to 8 p.m., Sunday, 1201 Central Ave., indianalandmarks.org, $25. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.
Ethel McCane, Pastor William Brown and the band Music Box are a few of the musicians performing at this concert designed to tell the stories of gospel and blues music. A $50 VIP ticket gives access to a pre-concert reception that includes a theatrical performance and begins at 4 p.m..
Conner Prairie Juneteenth Jubilee
10 a.m. to 3 p.m., June 19, 13400 Allisonville Road, Fishers; connerprairie.org, free.
This event was planned and coordinated by high school students from Fishers High School’s Future Black Leaders Club. There will be a selection of educational opportunities as well as collaborative art and bird walks. ASL interpreters will be available. While the event is free, attendees are encouraged to reserve a ticket in advance on the prairie’s website.
Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library Juneteenth KVML: On the Avenue
10 a.m. to 6 p.m., June 19, 543 Indiana Ave., vonnegutlibrary.org, free.
This free event includes admission to the museum, performances and the unveiling of a new exhibit KVML: On the Avenue. There will be jump rope challenges, ping-pong and a drum circle. Local residents will share their stories about life on The Avenue. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 6 pm., and special programming begins at 2:30 p.m.
Juneteenth Jubilee at Newfields
11 a.m. to 5 p.m., June 19, 4000 Michigan Road, discovernewfields.org, free.
Newfields has free admission to celebrate Juneteenth and a Juneteenth Jubilee festival featuring dancing, art and music. Inside the art museum, there is an exhibition called The Truth of Freedom: African Diaspora to Afrofuturism, a collection of works musing on the history of the African diaspora. Drinks and snacks will be available at the Beer Garden at Garden Terrace.
Madam Walker Legacy Center Block Party
11 a.m. to 7 p.m., June 22, 617 Indiana Ave., madamwalkerlegacycenter.com, free.
This block party celebrates the legacy of Madam CJ Walker, the first self-made American woman millionaire. Walker was born to formerly enslaved people and transformed herself into a successful entrepreneur by selling hair care products. The block party also celebrates Black Music Month. There will be musical performances, food trucks and vendors.
Alex Haddon is a Pulliam Fellow. You can email her at AHaddon@gannett.com.
