CLEVELAND — Events are set to take place all across Northeast Ohio this week to observe Juneteenth, the day that marks the end of slavery in America.
Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when Union soldiers brought the news of freedom to enslaved Black people in Galveston, Texas — two months after the Confederacy had surrendered. That was also about 2 1/2 years after the Emancipation Proclamation freed slaves in the Southern states.
There are many events scheduled across Northeast Ohio to commemorate Juneteenth, though several events taking place in Akron were canceled at the last minute due to City Council members expressing "grave concerns" about safety. Here is our list:
AKRON
The Official 26th Annual Akron Juneteenth Celebration -- CANCELED
- Saturday, June 15
- 1-7 p.m.
- Stoner/Hawkins Park | 1201 S. Hawkins Ave.
What's Happening on the Bloc Juneteenth Celebration
- Saturday, June 15
- 4 p.m.
- 848 W. Exchange Street
- FREE
- For more information, click here
The event will feature a live DJ, yard games and more.
Ward 5 Fifth Annual Juneteenth Festival -- CANCELED
- Saturday, June 15
- 12-5 p.m.
- Joy Park Community Center | 825 James Ingram Way
- For more information, call/text: 330-289-2779
West Akron Parade and Juneteenth, Father's Day Celebration -- CANCELED
- Sunday, June 16
- 1-5 p.m.
- Kerr Park | 964 Nome Ave.
- FREE
- For more information, click here.
Akron Urban League Juneteenth Celebration
- Wednesday, June 19
- 1-7 p.m.
- Akron Urban League | 440 Vernon Odom Blvd.
- For more information, click here.
Enjoy a performance by ST1XX.
Juneteenth Celebration Saturday Family Celebration
- Saturday, June 22
- 3-7 p.m.
- Cascade Plaza | 1 W Mill St.
- FREE
- For more information and to get free tickets, click here.
Live Performances, crafts and games & Downtown Akron Black-owned business vendor fair.
CLEVELAND
Spirits of Innovation: A Juneteenth Celebration with Master Blender Victoria Eady Butler
- Thursday, June 13
- 6-7:30 p.m.
- Cleveland Public Library Main Library – Downtown| 325 Superior Ave.
- FREE
- For more information click here.
Join master blender and innovator Victoria Eady Butler for an exploration of the history of African American distillers and her groundbreaking work to bring diversity and innovation to the spirits industry.
Juneteenth Storytelling Festival
- Friday, June 14
- 1- 4:30 p.m.
- Green Movement Glenville Garden | 11401 East 114th St., at the corner of St. Clair and East 115th St.
- FREE
- For more information click here.
Festivities include stories, art, games and a book giveaway.
MetroHealth Cleveland Juneteenth Freedom Fest
- Saturday, June 15
- 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
- Mall C- Downtown Cleveland
- FREE
- For more information click here.
An event featuring live music, vendors and family-friendly activities and games.
MX.JUNETEENTH: A Black & Queer Liberation Celebration
- Sunday, June 16
- 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Rock & Roll Hall of Fame | 1100 E 9th St.
- FREE with RSVP
- For more information, click here.
Juneteenth Celebration of Freedom
- The event will include liturgy, game and music
- Wednesday, June 19 | 10 am – 4 pm
- Glenview Park, E. 110th St. in Cleveland | FREE
- For more information click here.
Soldiers’ & Sailors’ Monument Celebrates Juneteenth
- The event will feature story time with the monument’s caretakers, coloring stations, tours and a reading of General Order No. 3 with a family-friendly explanation of its meaning.
- Wednesday, June 19 | 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- FREE
- Located at 3 Public Square
- For more information click here.
Culture, Community & Liberation: A Juneteenth Celebration
- Saturday, June 22
- Noon-4 p.m.
- ThirdSpace Action Lab | 1464 E. 105th St.
- FREE
- For more information click here.
An arts festival featuring dance, music, theater and open mic.
Cleveland’s Juneteeth Umoja Day & Festival
- Saturday, June 29
- Parade Kicks off at 11:30 am
- East 16 & Lakeside
- Festival | 1pm
- Mall C - Downtown Cleveland
- African drum and dance, food, vendors and more
- For more information, call: 216-650-4299
LORAIN
Annual Juneteenth Bluesfest
- Sunday, June 16
- 3-7 p.m.
- Lorain Lakeview Park | 1800 W Erie Ave., Lorain
- FREE
- For more information, click here.
A "Higher Law" screening
- Wednesday, June 19
- 6 p.m.
- Lorain Palace Theatre | 617 Broadway, Lorain
- FREE
- For more information, click here.
PEPPER PIKE
"Juneteenth: Faith & Freedom": Film Screening & Discussion
- Wednesday, June 19
- 6:30-8 p.m.
- Cuyahoga County Public Library Orange Branch | 31975 Chagrin Blvd, Pepper Pike
- FREE
- For more information, click here.
Watch a film and discussion that explores Juneteenth and a man’s journey to understanding the story and origins of this holiday.
VILLAGE OF WOODMERE
Juneteenth Celebration
- Friday, June 14
- 6-10 p.m.
- 28601 Chagrin Blvd.
- For more information, call 216-315-3279
The event will feature vendors, drumming and storytelling.