Another Juneteenth holiday, which is traditionally celebrated on June 19, is just around the corner. Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas to inform people that the Civil War had ended. Enslaved people were finally free. Delivery of the news –in 1865— occurred two and a half years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation had already abolished slavery.
This year’s roundup may help you to explore new or favorite Juneteenth celebrations in or around Maryland. Please confirm event details and times which may be subject to change.
Saturday, June 17, 2023
Annapolis
Annapolis’ Juneteenth celebration will kick off with a parade at 11:45 a.m. at the Annapolis City Dock with a libation ceremony at the Alex Haley Memorial. A festival will be held at 1:30 p.m. at the Bates Athletic Complex, located at 935 Spa Road in Annapolis, Maryland. Fireworks will close out the event at 9:00 p.m. Visit https://www.theannapolisjuneteenth.org/about-3 to obtain more event details.
Baltimore
AFRAM will be held on Saturday, June 17 and Sunday, June 18, from 12:00 – 9:00 p.m. (both days) at Druid Hill Park, located at 900 Druid Park Lake Drive in Baltimore, Maryland See https://aframbaltimore.com.
Pennsylvania Avenue African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church will celebrate Juneteenth on Saturday and Sunday, June 17-18, 2023. Activities on Saturday will begin with a Community Health Walk from 9:00 -10:30 a.m. A Community Leaders Breakfast will take place from 10:30 a.m. to noon. An outdoor ”We Are Family” Reunion and Cookout will follow from 12:30 – 4:00 p.m. A special Juneteenth worship service will be held on Sunday beginning at 9:00 a.m. at 1128 Pennsylvania Avenue in Baltimore. Contact Redessa Harris via 773-454-4776 or by emailing Harrisred51@gmailcom for more information.
Carroll County
Speak On It Act On It, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization is organizing a Juneteenth in Carroll County Celebration. It will be held on June 17, 2023 from 10:30 a.m.- 3:30 p.m., located at Carroll Community College, 1601 Washington Road Westminster, Maryland. Call (443) 457-0199 or visit https://speakonitactonit.org/events/juneteenth-in-carroll/ for more information.
Cheverly
Prince George’s County’s Civic African American Community Organization and the Town of Cheverly are hosting a Second Annual Juneteenth Celebration that will include a Juneteenth Flag raising Ceremony with the Buffalo Soldiers, vendors, live performances and more on June 17, 2023 beginning at 12 p.m., located at 6401 Forest Road in Cheverly, Maryland. Bring lawn chairs. Visit https://www.cheverly-md.gov/home/news/juneteenth-celebration-and-events for details.
Waldorf
Enjoy vendors, food trucks and entertainment at the 4th Annual Juneteenth Freedom Day hosted by the Charles County Juneteenth Foundation on Saturday, June 17, 2023 from 1 – 6 p.m. at the Shops at Waldorf Center, located at 3003 Festival Way in Waldorf, Maryland. Visit https://www.facebook.com/events/801592377961287 for more details.
Sunday, June 18, 2023
Coldstream Homestead Montebello Community Development Corporation is inviting Baltimore to their 2nd Annual Community Celebration on Sunday June 18, 2023 from 4-8 p.m. at 3220-A The Alameda in Baltimore, Maryland. Food, activities, community resources, visual artists and more will be available. Visit https://www.facebook.com/coldstream.montebello for more information.
Silver Spring
The gentleman of Extraordinary Investment Group will host a Third Annual Juneteenth Black Business Expo at 1 Veterans Place, located in Silver Spring, Maryland on Sunday, June 18, 2023 from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Enjoy music, entertainment, dancing, featured businesses and more. See www.investwitheig.com/events for details.
Monday, June 19, 2023
Potomac
Children can learn information about Juneteenth and create art at Cabin John Village, located at 11325 Seven Locks Road in Potomac from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. on June 19, 2023, during the Scotland Juneteenth Festival. Volunteers and historians will also retell stories for a day-long examination of the history about a vibrant Black community that became Scotland. The History Pavilion will be available at 11325 Seven Locks Road in Potomac, Maryland from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Free. A classic car show and health and wellness pavilion will also be available. Visit www.juneteenthscotland.org/speakers for information about the speaker lineup and visit www.juneteenthscotland.org for more information about the festival.
Virtual
The National Great Blacks In Wax Museum is hosting a virtual webinar, “From Ring-Shout to Juneteenth: African American Freedom Celebrations” on Monday, June 19, 2023 at 11 a.m. Visit https://www.greatblacksinwax.org to register.
On Monday, June 19, 2023, Dr. Opal Lee will complete her annual 2.5 mile walk to recognize the 2.5 years that it took for the news and enforcement of freedom to reach the enslaved people in Texas. She continued her walks to educate the nation about the importance of understanding that freedom is for everyone. Walk through your neighborhood, on a treadmill, at a local track or wherever you can, or join Lee’s live event in Washington, D.C. Visit https://opalswalkvirtual.raceroster.com to register.