Slavery didn’t end in all of the U.S. with the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863. It took a minute—or in Texas’ case, two years—for news to travel. It wasn’t until federal troops arrived in Galveston on June 19, 1865, that enslaved Black Texans finally celebrated their newfound freedom. Years later, there’s still an annual celebration on June 19 aka Juneteenth.
The unofficial holiday spread throughout the country as former slaves migrated from the Southeast up north during the Great Migration of 1916-1970, but it didn’t become an official Texas state holiday until 1979. And it’s still not a federally recognized holiday, though that could soon change (but probably not if Ron DeSantis has anything to do about it). This month, the New York Times said nationwide protests over police brutality in recent years led to a renewed interest in Juneteenth, a holiday this white writer didn’t even know about until a couple of years ago.
Black or white, you can’t ignore Juneteenth in 2021, and I wouldn’t want to. Celebrations happen all over the Bay area, including art shows, spoken word performances, dance, live music, food trucks and outdoor markets. Here are a few Saturday, June 19 events we’ve heard about in Tampa and St. Pete.
- In Tampa, head to Raymond James Stadium in the afternoon for “R.O.C. The Block’s 1st Annual Tampa Bay Juneteenth Festival” with shopping, food trucks and live music. Noon-6 p.m. 4201 N Dale Mabry Hwy. $35. Parking, Lot 3, $10 per vehicle. eventbrite.com
- Later that evening, catch “Freedom Tree”—a free, choreographed spoken word performance—at the Straz’s Center’s Tampa Riverwalk Stage. Register in advance if you’re interested in attending. 7 p.m. 1010 N Macinnes Pl, Tampa. strazcenter.org
- Meanwhile in South Tampa, Tampa Garden Club hosts the first annual AfroCAN Fest, a celebration of Black excellence featuring live music and art, food from Black chefs, a fashion show and more. 6:19 p.m.-10:19 p.m. 2629 Bayshore Blvd. $25-65. cityfestivals.org/afrocanfest
- In St. Pete, start your day exploring historical African American sites and culture courtesy of Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg’s Black Excellence Quest. Register in advance for a map, and look for free Juneteenth swag at six secret locations. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. bit.ly/juneteenthquest2021
- End your quest at the second annual Juneteenth Business Expo in The Deuces, where you can catch some live music, grab a bite, and buy Black from over 150 vendors. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. 642 22nd St. S, St. Petersburg. eventbrite.com
- If you read our Pride issue, then you already know that St. Pete Pride is celebrating Black, Queer Culture at The Factory with an immersive music, art and dance experience. 4 p.m.-10 p.m. 2622 Fairfield Ave S, St. Petersburg $5. stpetepride.org
- Last but not least, “Reverberations” opens at the James Museum in collaboration with the Dr. Carter G. Woodson Museum. The Juneteenth pop-up art exhibition, curated by Desmond Clark, features artwork from Black artists living and working in Tampa Bay and beyond. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., through Aug. 29. 150 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. $10-20. thejamesmuseum.org
- And if you need bonus Juneteenth parties in your life, celebrate in The Heights the following Saturday with “an explosion of arts, live entertainment, wellness activities and food” at Tampa Heights Cultural Festival: A Juneteenth Celebration. Saturday, June 26. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tampa Heights Junior Civic Association, 2005 N Lamar Ave., Tampa thjca.org
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This article appears in Jun 17-23, 2021.