Annual Juneteenth community celebration events in Fort Myers and Naples set for June 17
Erica Van Buren
Southwest Florida residents looking for a free, family friendly festivities are invited to Juneteenth events in Naples and Fort Myers on June 17 to celebrate the end of slavery.
JUNETEENTH IN FORT MYERS
The Lee County Black History Society, Dunbar Festival Committee and the African Coalition of Southwest Florida are partnering to host the 11th Annual Juneteenth Community Celebration.
The Lee County Black History Society, Dunbar Festival Committee and the African Coalition of Southwest Florida are partnering to host the 11th Annual Juneteenth Community Celebration.
The festivities will be held at Roberto Clemente Park, 1936 Henderson Ave. in Fort Myers, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 17.
“We're coming up on Independence Day. But we know that day doesn't represent Independence Day for everyone in this country,” said Martin Byrd, president of the Dunbar Festival Committee. “We’ll have plenty of food vendors, a kids area with bounce houses, face painting and live performances. There will also be informational vendors there as well.”
This year’s Juneteenth Celebration will be filled with a variety of fun and entertainment for the entire family, including stage performances, music, arts and crafts, food and refreshments. Event attendees will also have a chance to receive free information from community businesses in wealth, health, education, job training, employment, housing, corporate and governmental services and more.
For more information, visit https://www.leecountyblackhistorysociety.org/events/. Interested vendors or exhibitors should contact the Dunbar Festival Committee at martinbyrd@dunbarfestival.org.
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NAPLES JUNETEENTH EVENT
Juneteenth Freedom Day at the Park: It begins at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 17 and wrapping up at 4 p.m, at River Park Community Center, 301 11th St. N., Naples. A festive day commemorating the official end of slavery in the U.S., sponsored by the NAACP of Collier County.
It includes food, vendors and live music. For vendor and entertainment information/opportunities, call Shazi Parker at 239-269-2418 or see naacpcolliercounty.org/.
THE HISTORY OF JUNETEENTH
Juneteenth, which has been celebrated since the late 1800s, was finally recognized as a federal holiday in 2021.
On June 19, 1865, Major General Gordon Granger landed in Galveston and read General Order Number 3 to the people. Celebrations started in the following years as a way for former slaves to reconnect and recount the day their freedom was announced.
Many of the first Juneteenth celebrations were held on the grounds of African American churches and eventually became more elaborate with rodeos, picnics, barbecues, fishing trips and family reunions.
Erica Van Buren is the underserved communities reporter for The News-Press and Naples Daily News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Connect with her at EVanBuren@gannett.com or on Twitter: @EricaVanBuren32