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10About Town Things to Do: Juneteenth

Juneteenth, short for June Nineteenth, commemorates the end of slavery in the United States.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Juneteenth is coming up. It's also known as Emancipation Day, Freedom Day, Jubilee Day, Black Indpendence Day and Juneteenth Indpendence Day, according to the Encyclopedia Britannica.

It is on June 19 — a symbolic date representing African American freedom from slavery. It commemorates when enslaved people in Texas learned of their freedom on June 19, 1865.

Although the Emancipation Proclamation was made effective in 1863, it could not be implemented in place under Confederate control, according to the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Texas was the westernmost Confederate state and the around 250,000 enslaved people there did not learn they were free until around 2,000 Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay on June 19, 1865, announcing they were slaves no longer.

Knoxville and other East Tennessee communities are planning several events to celebrate the holiday, and community groups are also organizing different celebrations for Juneteenth. Keep reading below to learn ways to celebrate Juneteenth this year.

Saturday, June 15

Juneteenth Celebration: Taste and See the History (10 a.m., Cherokee Health Systems' East Knox Health Center)

Cherokee Health Systems is hosting "Juneteenth Celebration: Taste and See the History" to honor the Juneteenth holiday and pay tribute to the Black men and women who contributed to the development and success of the community.

“This event will serve as an opportunity for the community to come together and learn about Black history in Knoxville. The men and women who came before us deserve to be recognized and celebrated for their professional and personal accomplishments,” CHS’ Dr. Eboni Winford, director of research and health equity, said.

A free one-mile walk will begin at 10 a.m. behind CHS’ East Knox Health Center, located next to Dr. Walter Hardy Park. Throughout the walk, participants will learn about Knoxville’s Black history, making brief stops at the Beck Cultural Exchange Center and Doctors Row, which serves as a memorial site for the black physicians who served the community and surrounding areas between 1869 and 1989. 

After the walk, a community celebration will take place at Dr. Walter Hardy Park at 10:30 a.m. 

Soul food tasting and refreshments will be available as well as a special performance by the musical group Drums Up, Guns Down.

Juneteenth Celebration (4 p.m. to 7 p.m., downtown Greeneville)

The town of Greeneville and the George Clem Multicultural Alliance will offer free festivities for all ages at Bicentennial Park and the Big Spring behind the Greeneville-Greene County Public Library.

Monday, June 17

Little History Lessons: Juneteenth (10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., East Tennessee History Center)

It’s never too early for some Little History Lessons. Caregivers and kids will learn about the history of Juneteenth through stories, games, crafts and examining artifacts. During the session, staff will introduce Juneteenth using themes and objects in their signature exhibition.

Admission for children ages 16 and under is free, adults are $10, seniors over the age of 55 are $8 and ETHC members are free.

Wednesday, June 19

Juneteenth Spruce Up (9 a.m. to 11 a.m., Austin East High School)

Celebrate the historic holiday by giving back to the community with Keep Knoxville Beautiful for its first-ever Juneteenth Spruce Up! They will be removing litter from the Austin East High School area.

Keep Knoxville Beautiful will provide litter pickers, gloves, trash bags and safety vests.

They recommend wearing long pants and closed-toed shoes for the event. Please bring sunscreen, bug protection and water. Children are welcome but must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

2024 MLK Parade and Juneteenth Celebration (10 a.m., Chilhowee Park)

Join the community for a celebration of freedom and heritage. The event will begin with registration and lineup at Chilhowee Park, offering people the chance to participate in the march. The parade lineup starts at 8:30 a.m. 

The festivities will finish at Dr. Walter Hardy Park, where the Juneteenth Celebration will start at noon with a range of activities, performances and educational opportunities.

The MLK Parade will begin at Midway (Chilhowee Park) 3300 E. Magnolia Avenue, Knoxville TN 37914. The Midway Chilhowee Park entrance is directly off North Beaman Street, parallel to Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue. 

The parade route will run through MLK Avenue and end at Walter Hardy Park.

Juneteenth Shelf Sweep (11 a.m., The Bottom)

Celebrate Juneteenth in The Bottom's bookshop by clearing the bookshelves. They will have discounted titles priced at $5 and $10. If you buy four books, you get a free Juneteenth tote with your purchase while supplies last.

Unshackled Discussion Part 1 (4 p.m., Beck Cultural Exchange Center)

Juneteenth is a time to reflect on the past and envision a better future. Many voices have been silenced over the years, leading to deep-seated trauma and pain. By fostering an open and unshackled conversation, the Beck Cultural Exchange Center is creating a space for the sharing of experiences, promoting engagement and empowerment. 

Juneteenth Gospel Celebration (4:30 p.m., Green McAdoo Cultural Center)

Join the community as they celebrate Juneteenth with a jazz concert on the front lawn of the center. This is a rain-or-shine event.

Unshackled Discussion Part 2 (5:30 p.m., Beck Cultural Exchange Center)

The Tennessee Black Caucus of State Legislators has convened in Knoxville during Juneteenth for many years to discuss topics on the state of the Black community and provide updates on the legislature. 

Join State Representative of District 15, Sam McKenzie and the Tennessee Black Caucus of State Legislators for this open and unshackled conversation. The Beck Center warmly invites you to join them for this Juneteenth Freedom Day conversation.

We will update this article when more events become available.

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