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Juneteenth is an annual national holiday on June 19 celebrating the anniversary of when the last Black people enslaved in the United States learned of their emancipation in 1865. Since 1971, Milwaukee has celebrated this holiday with parades, local food and vendors, historical talks, panels and more.
You can learn more about the history of Juneteenth here.
Here’s how you can celebrate Juneteenth in Milwaukee this weekend.
Friday, June 17
Fondy Farmers Market honors Juneteenth
Kick off a weekend of citywide celebration at the Fondy Farmers Market with food and entertainment from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at 220 W. Fond du Lac Ave.
More information here. This event is free to attend.
Saturday, June 18
Father’s Day + Juneteenth Celebration
The Milwaukee Diaper Mission and community partners will be giving away free diapers as well as providing music and snacks at this family-friendly gathering from noon to 4 p.m. at Butterfly Park, located at 3717 W. Meinecke Ave.
More information and a full list of partners here. This event is free to attend.
The Institute for the Preservation of African American Music and Arts, or IPAMA, hosts this community breakfast to honor individuals and organizations throughout Milwaukee for community service and scholarship funds, as well as Milwaukee’s artists and musicians. The breakfast is from 9 a.m. to noon at 3200 W. Hampton Ave.
More information and $35 tickets here.
Black Diaspora Symphony Orchestra of Milwaukee Juneteenth Concert: A Walk Through History
The Black Diaspora Symphony Orchestra of Milwaukee will present five pieces of music, including “Exodus from Extinction,” a new composition by Autumn Maria Reed making its world premiere at this concert. The concert runs from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Washington Park, 4599 W. Lloyd St.
A pre-concert lecture will be held at the beer garden, 5531 West North Ave., from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. discussing the five pieces of music.
More information here. This event is free to attend. READ: More than music: How the Black Diaspora Symphony Orchestra plans to serve the community
Sunday, June 19
The 51st Annual Juneteenth Parade and Festival
The annual Juneteenth parade and festival is back, hosted by the Northcott Neighborhood House. The parade will run from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. starting from North 14th Street and West Atkinson Avenue and will travel to West Locust Avenue and North Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.
The festival will follow the parade starting at 11 a.m. with vendors selling food and clothing, accompanied by live music, poetry and dancing in the streets until 4 p.m.
More information here. This event is free to attend.
Juneteenth at America’s Black Holocaust Museum
Near the parade and festival, America’s Black Holocaust Museum is hosting a day of free indoor and outdoor activities. Visit the newly reopened museum from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 401 W. North Ave.
More information here. This event is free to attend.
Juneteenth Day Celebration at Alice’s Garden
Join Alice’s Garden Urban Farm for an afternoon of “libations, labyrinth walks, conversations, presentations, Kujichagulia Producers Cooperative Market and a celebration of freedom!” This celebration lasts from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at 2136 N. 21st St. More information here. This event is free to attend.
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