SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) — Juneteenth is right around the corner, and there are a variety of opportunities to take part in as the holiday approaches. Here is a list of several Coastal Empire and Lowcountry events happening in celebration of the end of slavery in the United States.
Saturday, June 10
Pooler
- Pooler Juneteenth Celebration Run & Walk will kick off at 8 a.m. The route starts at Pooler Stadium.
Savannah
- Juneteenth Free Family Day will start at 10 a.m. at the Jepson Center. Several activities and performances, including drumming and a libation ceremony featuring Dr. Jamal Touré, will occur throughout the day.
Thursday, June 15
Savannah
- Juneteenth Lecture by Queen Quet – In celebration of Juneteenth, Queen Quet will discuss land ownership among Gullah/Geechee people in the coastal South. The lecture will be held at 6 p.m. at the Jepson Center.
Friday, June 16
Bluffton
- 2nd Annual Black Food Truck Friday Festival – There will be Black-owned food trucks and vendors, live entertainment and a dedicated Kids Zone play area. The festival will start at 5 p.m. and be held at Buckwalter Commerce Park. This event is presented by the Bluffton MLK Observance Committee.
Saturday, June 17
Bluffton
- Juneteenth celebration at Burnt Church Distillery – More live entertainment, performing artists, food and vendors as the Bluffton MLK Committee’s event continues. The event will be at Burnt Church Distillery starting at 1 p.m.
Midway
- Liberty County NAACP’s Juneteenth Celebration will be held at the Historic Dorchester Academy (8787 Oglethorpe Hwy) from noon to 6 p.m. Over 70 vendors will be on-site, including food trucks.
Savannah
- Savannah Juneteenth Fine Arts Festival will be located downtown at Forsyth Park at 1 p.m. It is presented by Chosen For The Arts (CFTA)
- Cultural Juneteenth Music Festival, which is hosted by The Daughters of Mary Magdalene and the City of Savannah, will begin at 11 a.m. in Wells Park.
- Tybee Juneteenth will be held on Saturday, June 17 and Sunday, June 18, starting at 11 a.m. both days on Tybrisa Street. On June 19th there will be a Wade In led by Patt Gunn at 9 a.m. on the beach.
- Youth Power Festival hosted by Book Nation of Dreamers, BGood2U, Manifesting Mobile, and Hello Neighbor will be held June 17 from 1-5 p.m. in Daffin Park to celebrate Juneteenth. The festival empowers youth to advocate for social justice and education and features local artists, authors, a vendor market, food, and workshops. The event is free and open to the public.
- Juneteenth Celebration, hosted by The Savannah African Art Museum, will be from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. on the museum grounds, at 201 E. 37 St. The festivities will reflect on and honor the past while celebrating the future. This event will feature music and dancing, spoken word performances, a marketplace, African food samples, info/resource tables and more. The event is free and open to the community.
Liberty County
- Juneteenth Celebration – Liberty County NAACP will hold its annual Juneteenth Celebration at the Historic Dorchester Academy located at 8787 Oglethorpe Hwy Midway, GA from 12- 6 p.m. There will be 70 vendors including food trucks. Horseback riding for the kids, face painting, Juneteenth Essay contest, Old School Car and Bike Show, Zumba and more.
Sunday, June 18
Bluffton
- 3rd Annual Jazz Brunch – The brunch is a ticketed event held at Burnt Church Distillery starting at 11 a.m. This event will conclude the Bluffton MLK Committee’s 8th Annual Juneteenth Festival.
Monday, June 19
Pooler
- Peace Love Juneteenth – Painting with a Twist is hosting a Juneteenth-inspired painting night at 7 p.m. The cost of the class depends on the materials used.
