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Family and friends gather at African Square Park during a special Juneteenth Commencement Celebration at M.E.Y.G.A. (Multi-Ethnic Youth Group Association) Learning Center Liberty City, Florida, on Saturday, June 19, 2021. The event honored the newly created federal holiday of Juneteenth and celebrated the graduation of M.E.Y.G.A. students.
Juneteenth, which marks the emancipation of enslaved Americans during the U.S. Civil War, is about history and connection.
For Ashlee Thomas, who co-founded Miami Urban Contemporary Experience (MUCE,) a mechanic shop-turned-cultural center in Little Haiti, it’s a chance for celebration and connection.
“Juneteenth represents that symbolic base of ‘We’re starting with our feet on the ground towards liberation, and we’re gaining and we’re pushing,’” Thomas said.
The Saturday celebration, which will have a free art show and live performances, is one of many around South Florida planned for the weekend.
Here are some of the events in South Florida where you can celebrate the holiday:
Miami-Dade County
▪ The Miami Museum of Contemporary Art of the African Diaspora and Hampton Art Lovers will co-host Juneteenth #CreativeConversation and Celebration at 6 p.m. Friday in the Ward Rooming House, 249 NW Ninth St. There will be a tour of “Veo Veo, I See I See, Mwen wè Mwen wè,” a new interactive public art project.
▪ A ribbon-cutting ceremony will rebrand Northwest 12th Avenue as Soul of Miami Way on Friday at 11 a.m. The Liberty Outdoor Space will celebrate its grand opening at noon and include food trucks and entertainment.
▪ Artwalk will hold its Richmond Heights Juneteenth Celebration Friday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at 14700 Lincoln Blvd. The event is free and includes Black art, intergeneration activities, vendors, food and live music.
▪ The third annual Juneteenth Day of Freedom Celebration is 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Saturday at Pride Park at 1809 Meridian Ave.
▪ Florida International University will hold its second annual Freedom Day Celebration from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Dotson Family Pavilion on the Modesto Maidique Campus in West Miami-Dade. The event is free and will feature musical performances, vendors, food trucks and activities.
▪ The Experience Tour/African Cultural Arts Center/SoMa Gallery Workshop is at noon to 9 p.m. Saturday at Sandrell Rivers Theater, 6103 NW Seventh Ave. in Miami.
▪ City of North Miami Beach Juneteenth Kids Zone and Museum is at 3 p.m. Saturday at the Ronald A. Silver Youth Enrichment Services Center, 17052 NE 19th Ave.
▪ Miami Lakes Juneteenth Celebration is 4 p.m. Saturday at Town Hall Council Chambers, 6601 Main St.
▪ City of North Miami Beach Juneteenth Step and Show Drumline is at 6 p.m. Saturday at North Miami Beach City Hall, 17011 NE 19th Ave.
▪ Honoring Our Ancestors Juneteenth Commemoration is at 7 p.m. Saturday, Miami Urban Contemporary Experience, 246 NW 54th St. Miami
▪ The Rhythm Foundation’s Juneteenth Independence Day Celebration is 8 p.m. Sunday at the North Beach Band Shell on Collins Avenue in Miami Beach.
▪ A Visual Lecture on the History of Africa: From Freedom to Freedom is at 7 p.m. Monday, African Heritage Cultural Arts Center Wendell Narcisse Performing Arts Theater, 6161 NW 22nd Ave., Miami
▪ Juneteenth Park-In & Party: We Are One! is Sunday at Calder Casino, 21001 NW 27th Ave., Miami Gardens
Broward
▪ Juneteenth South Broward will hold its 6th Annual Juneteenth Celebration from 3 to 9 p.m. Sunday at 1 Young Circle in Hollywood. The event will include a Junkaroo band, stilt walkers, food, black history and a kids corner.
▪ The 21st Annual Blues & Sweet Potato Pie Festival will be held from 11 to 5 p.m. Saturday at Apollo Park,1580 NW Third Ave in Pompano Beach, adjacent to Northwest Branch Library. The event includes BBQ, Civil War historical re-enactors, blues/jazz music, historical displays, professional storytelling, children’s games and vintage exhibits.
▪ The Freedom Fest in Deerfield Beach “Jazz & Soul in the Field” will be held from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday at 445 SW Second St. The free event will feature films, art exhibits, music and food.
What’s open and closed?
While most malls, retail and grocery stores will stick to their normal hours Monday, government offices and some services will be put on pause.
There will be no regular mail Monday, because the U.S. Postal Service will close post offices in observance of the holiday.
▪ Miami-Dade County offices, courts, schools and libraries will be closed Monday. Trash pickup and transit will remain on their normal schedules.
▪ Miami Beach government offices will be closed.
▪ City of Miami administrative offices will be closed Monday. Both the Miami Riverside Center (MRC) and City Hall will be closed. Trash pickup will be on normal schedule. Most recreation facilities will remain open, but the Grapeland Water Park will be closed.
▪ The Sunny Isles Beach Government Center, Pelican Community Park and Gateway Center will be closed.
▪ Coral Gables government office will be closed on Monday. Garbage, trash, and recycling services will operate on a regular schedule. Community recreation facilities, including tennis and golf facilities, the Venetian Pool and summer camps, will operate regularly.
This story was originally published June 16, 2022 6:59 PM.
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