Twin Ports Juneteenth Celebrations

Honoring Juneteenth as Individuals, Advocates, and Organizations

June 3, 2024

The History of Juneteenth

Juneteenth, also known as Juneteenth Independence Day or Freedom Day, is an American holiday that commemorates the abolition of slavery. It was on June 19, 1865 when U.S. General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, to inform enslaved African-Americans of their freedom and that the Civil War had ended. That date came a full two and a half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation, wherein slavery had persisted in the South. Juneteenth officially became a federal holiday in 2021.

Juneteenth celebrations in the Twin Ports will begin Saturday, June 15 and extend through Wednesday, June 19. Community events are detailed below.

Twin Ports Juneteenth Events

Saturday, June 15

Twin Ports Juneteenth Celebration

12:00pm - 6:00pm

Harrison Park

3002 W. 3rd Street, Duluth

This celebration in Lincoln Park will feature DJ music, a bouncy house, kids’ games & activities, local vendors, community resources, delicious food, and the announcement of the winner of the Miss Juneteenth Pageant.

Twin Ports Juneteenth

Sunday, June 16

St. Mark AME Church Gospel Brunch

11:00am

The Sport Court

408 East 8th Street, Duluth

This event will have a wonderful breakfast catered in by Superior Waffles, gospel music from the Central Hillside Community Gospel Choir, and we will announce the winners of the 2024 Arthur Faye Scholarship. All are welcome to attend.

Wednesday, June 19

NAACP Annual Juneteenth Jubilee

3:00pm - 7:00pm

Central Hillside Community Center

12 E. 4th Street

For half a century, the Duluth NAACP has been gathering in community to celebrate Freedom Day, and for their 50th celebration this year, they are going all out. This year’s event will feature four free dinner options, BIPOC vendors, over 30 informational tables from community partners, autographs from the Duluth Harbor Monsters, an obstacle course designed by Grandma’s Marathon crew, free haircuts, a photo booth, bounce house, and face painting!

DuluthNAACP.org

Commitment to Change is a collaborative effort between Lake Superior College and the Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce to build a more inclusive and diverse community through education, resources, opportunities, and partnerships. This robust Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion resource guide has been curated from experts across the Twin Ports to share with your organizations in honor of Juneteenth.

Resources Archive