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.
Friday
Town Hall Meeting with Tennessee Black Caucus (6 p.m., Beck Center): The Beck Center is expected to host a town hall meeting with the Tennessee Black Caucus. The caucus is made up of state lawmakers, including Representative Sam McKenzie (D - Knoxville).
Oak Ridge Juneteenth Celebration (4 p.m. - 8 p.m. at 148 Carver Ave.): On Friday in Oak Ridge, groups will gather for a community kickball tournament and an inflatable bounce house to celebrate Juneteenth. A DJ will be there for entertainment, and people will be able to play bingo or enjoy a spade tournament.
Saturday
25th Anniversary Alex Haley Statue Dedication (10 a.m., in Haley Heritage Square): The Beck Cultural Center is hosting this event to dedicate a statue to Alex Haley, the author of Roots: The Saga of an American Family. It will include the Knoxville Opera Gospel Choir.
Oak Ridge Juneteenth Festival (12 p.m. - 8 p.m., on Hampton Road): The Oak Ridge Juneteenth festival will bring together multiple vendors with performances by gospel and R&B artists for a community celebration. There will be bounce houses as well as face paintings and carnival games.
Sunday
A Celebration Rooted in History (10 am. - 4 p.m., Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum): Rooted East Knox is hosting food, demonstrations, educational workshops, art and family portrait sessions with Jalynn Baker Photography.
Monday
Juneteenth Freedom Day Celebration Parade and March (10 a.m., Chilhowee Park Midway): Presented by the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Commission, the Juneteenth Freedom Day Celebration Parade and March will kick off from 3300 E. Magnolia Avenue, continue down Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, and conclude at Dr. Walter Hardy Park, site of the Party at Hardy.
MLK Jr. Avenue and cross streets will be closed along the parade route from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Mayor Indya Kincannon, city of Knoxville staff members and members of the city council will join in the parade.
Juneteenth Ride at The Bottom (10 a.m., The Bottom): The Bottom and Two Bikes host a special Juneteenth bike ride, beginning at the bookstore, traveling past East Knoxville landmarks and returning to The Bottom for a fish fry and vintage market.
Special Juneteenth Heritage Exhibit and Village Market (10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Beck Center): The Beck Center will host a celebration of Juneteenth featuring a new exhibit as well as a market for people to shop from local makers and vendors.
The Crown Pitch Competition (6 p.m., Old City Performing Arts Center): Four black women entrepreneurs will pitch their business ideas to judges for the chance to win in $5,000, plus resources and mentoring. Hosted by The Women LLC and Shora Foundation.
Hamblen County Juneteenth Celebration (5 p.m. - 9 p.m., Downtown on the Green): This Morristown celebration will bring together the community for entertainment, food trucks and shopping from local vendors. Mayor Roland Dykes is expected to speak, and dancers from Drums Up, Guns Down are expected to perform.
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Knoxville leaders said city offices will be closed on Monday, June 19. This will be the first year that Juneteenth is a paid holiday for city employees after the city council voted to approve Juneteenth to Knoxville's paid holidays in 2022.
Trash and recycling services will run on a regular schedule. The City’s Solid Waste Facility (1033 Elm Street) will be closed Saturday, June 17, and Monday, June 19. It will reopen for regular hours on Tuesday, June 20.
City Recreation Centers, including the Knoxville Arts Center, will be closed and not holding summer camp sessions on June 19. The City’s outdoor pools – Inskip and Ed Cothren – will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Knoxville Area Transit buses will operate on a Sunday schedule on Monday, June 19.
On May 5 of this year, Governor Bill Lee signed a bill into a law that would recognize Juneteenth as an official holiday. All state offices will also close on June 19 to celebrate the holiday.