Juneteenth Events Around Erie
A week of festivities, culture, education, and more
BEGINNING MONDAY, JUN. 15
Juneteenth is an important date marking the end of slavery in the United States. This year, Erie and Northwestern Pennsylvania will be holding a week-long celebration in observation of the long history of oppression and the significance of June 19, 1865 – the day enslaved people in Texas were finally freed, two years after President Abraham Lincoln's famous Emancipation Proclamation speech.
The Juneteenth Week of Events (June 15-21) will include a men's roundtable discussion, a professional basketball game, a Black art exhibition, a charity event, a boat cruise, a block party and concert, and a gospel celebration. There will be a guided tour of the Historical Institute of Culture & the African American Experience (located at 315 E. 9th St.) as well as a panel discussion on Thursday, June 18. Additionally there will be a Juneteenth Mix and Mingle hosted by Erie's Black Wall Street on board the Victorian Princess on Friday, June 19 at 6: 30 p.m.
On June 20, Perry Square will be filled with various Black-owned businesses selling food, clothing, accessories, and other services. There will also be a range of performances and activities for kids. The block party is open to people of all ages "looking to celebrate freedom!"
Before it was known as "Juneteenth," a combination of "June" and "nineteenth" that honors the annual day of celebration, the holiday has been called Jubilee Day, Emancipation Day, Second Independence Day, and Freedom Day.
In addition to the week-long festivities across the community, on June 15, the Erie VA Medical Center Minority Veterans Program will be hosting a Juneteenth Freedom Day Celebration from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Erie VA Medical Center. This year's theme is titled "From Freedom Promised to Freedom Lived: Honoring Legacy, Resilience, and the Future."
Coordinator Maurice Clarke stated that the event's purpose is to "honor the enduring contributions, resilience, culture, and military service of Black Americans and Black Veterans. Beyond reflection on history, the celebration is intended to create meaningful community connection, education, and engagement."
The event will be composed of guest speakers, cultural elements, informational tables, and community vendors to promote unity, visibility, healing, and continued progress.
Freedom Day Celebration: Monday, June 15 at 10 a.m. // Erie VA Medical Center, 135 E. 38th St. Boulevard // www.va.gov/erie-health-care
Block Party: Saturday, June 20 at 11 a.m. // Perry Square, 601 State St. // For more information: eriejuneteenth.com/events
