HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Juneteenth, also known as Emancipation Day, commemorates the end of U.S. slavery.
The annual celebration is held on June 19, the day in which slaves in Galveston, Texas, learned the Civil War had ended and they were free.
In Huntsville, several local groups and organizations are holding festivals and celebrations this Juneteenth.
Greater Huntsville Juneteenth Freedom Festival
The Huntsville/Madison County NAACP Branch is holding a free Juneteenth festival at Lakeside United Methodist Church in Huntsville from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The celebration will feature live entertainment, food and merchandise vendors, a student poster and essay contest, voter registration, a health fair, college representatives, social service agencies and a car and motorcycle show.
The celebration will have free admission and parking. For more information, visit the event's Facebook page.
Athens Juneteenth Festival
This first-ever Juneteenth Festival in Athens will be held in the Courthouse Square on Saturday, June 19 from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
There will be food, vendors, art, live bands, and more.
Click here for more information.
Limestone County Juneteenth Celebration
Celebrate Juneteenth with the Limestone County NAACP. The festival takes place on June 19 starting at 11:00 a.m. at Lincoln Bridgeview Park at 815 Westview Ave. in Athens.
There will be Voter Registration and Alabama Voters IDs, a blood drive with LifeSouth, and free COVID vaccines and masks. People ages 18-40 who get vaccinated will receive a gift card.
Juneteenth Celebration at The Camp
Live music, spoken word, Art Walk, and more to celebrate Juneteenth are at The Camp, 5909 University Drive, Sat. June 19 from 2:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
The event is free. More information available here.
Juneteenth: Freedom Day Block Party, Florence
Family-friendly event featuring live music, spoken word, African drumming, guest speakers, and more.
The event is on June 18 from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at 200 S Court St. in Florence. More information is available here.
2nd Annual Juneteenth Jubilee at Stoner Field
The 2nd Annual Juneteenth Jubilee at Stoner Field in Huntsville will take place on June 19 from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The family-friendly event will feature food, music, performances and vendors.
Huntsville's Black Market: A Juneteenth Celebration 2
The HBM: A Juneteenth Celebration 2 will take place at the Von Braun Center East in Huntsville from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
General admission to the event is free and the celebration will feature food, music, vendors, door prizes, entertainment and more.
For more information or to get tickets, visit the event's page on the Von Braun Center's website.
Soulful Events Expo - HSV's FUS-21 Juneteenth celebration
The FUS-21 Juneteenth celebration will be held at the National Speleological Society in Huntsville from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. on June 19.
Organizers say that participants will be able to experience Huntsville food trucks, bakers and retailers and have live entertainment from local artists.
For more information, visit the event's page on eventbrite.com.
Juneteenth Litter Cleanup, Marshall County
The Juneteenth Litter Cleanup is on Saturday, July 19, from 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
Marshall County Democratic Club volunteers will hold a Juneteenth Litter Clean Up of their sponsored Adopt-A-Mile located along Marshall County Park #1, on U.S. Highway 431 just north of downtown Guntersville and the Tennessee River Bridge. Litter grabbers, trash bags and safety vests are provided by Marshall County PALS (People Against a Littered State). New volunteers are always welcome. Wear closed-toe shoes and dress for the weather. Event information here.
If we missed any events you know of, send us a text at 256-382-2692!