JUNETEENTH CALENDAR - The Oakland Press

JUNETEENTH CALENDAR

Smoke Jones and Heart and Soul Band to be at Madison Heights Juneteenth Celebration on June 14. PHOTO FROM PREVIOUS YEAR, COURTESY OF MADISON HEIGHTS CITIZENS UNITED

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A number of Juneteenth celebrations and activities are being held in the area, commemorating the historic end of slavery in the United States. Juneteenth is Thursday, June 19. It is a federal holiday.

• Freedom Confirmed-President Abraham Lincoln’s Courage to Create Change is 6-8 p.m. June 12, at the Southfield Public Library, 26300 Evergreen Road, Southfield, geared for teens and adults, free admission, southfieldlibrary.org.

• Juneteenth Senior Luncheon is 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. June 13, at 26001 Evergreen Road, (Room 115), Southfield, www.cityofsouthfield.com, tickets are $25 for residents and $30 for non-residents. Registration required at 248-796-4620.

• Juneteenth Freedom Day Festival is June 14, on Saginaw Street (between Water and Lawrence Streets), downtown Pontiac. Activities include a parade at 3 p.m., festival is 4:30-10:30 p.m. with food vendors, kids zone and entertainment, live music, and fireworks at 10 p.m., https://pontiac.mi.us/government/mayor/events.php. Also, Father & Son BBQ Cookoff, starts at noon June 14, at Hidden River Park, downtown Pontiac, for information, call 248-758-3400.

• Southfield’s Juneteenth Celebration will kick off with the raising of the Juneteenth flag at 9:30 a.m. June 14, at the circle drive in front of City Hall, 26000 Evergreen Road. Mayor’s Juneteenth Walk is 10-11:30 a.m. June 14, beginning at the Southfield Municipal Campus front circle. Mayor Ken Siver will lead participants on a 2.5 mile walk around Southfield and discuss Southfield history and the achievements of African Americans in Southfield.

• Juneteenth Jubilee is 5 p.m.-9 p.m. June 14, at 26000 Evergreen Road, Southfield, presented by Southfield Parks & Recreation, featuring re-enactors from the Southfield Historical Society portraying influential African-Americans, activities for youth, outdoor concert, and food truck vendors, www.cityofsouthfield.com/residents/events/juneteenth-jubilee-1, admission is free.

• Madison Heights Juneteenth Celebration is noon-6 p.m. June 14, at Madison Heights Civic Center Park, 360 W. 13 Mile Road, with opening ceremony, live music, food trucks, “pop-up” sale, and an educational exhibit. Smoke Jones and Heart & Soul Band to headline, award-winning actor and vocalist X. Alexander Durden will present a tribute to the Black Church, children’s activities including a 25-ft. climbing tower courtesy of Oakland County Parks, bounce houses, a petting zoo, pony rides and crafts, www.madisonheightsjuneteenth.com. Attendees are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to donate to the Madison Heights Food Pantry. Festival admission and parking are free.

• Oakland County Juneteenth Celebration is 11 a.m. — 1:30 p.m. June 18, at 1200 North Telegraph, Circuit Court Courtyard, Pontiac, event will feature inspirational speakers, food trucks, live entertainment, flag raising ceremony, meet-and-greet tables with local organizations and vendors, inflatables and yard games for all ages. Winners of the student Oakland County Juneteenth Art & Essay Contest will be recognized, www.oakgov.com/community/diversity-equity-inclusion/programs-events/juneteenth.

• The Friends of the Southfield Public Library Juneteenth Jazz & Blues Concert is 6-8 p.m. June 18 at the Southfield Public Library Fountain Terrace (with a rain location in the meeting room), featuring the Chris Canas Band.

• The city of Royal Oak is hosting a Juneteenth celebration, 3-7 p.m. June 19, at Royal Oak Farmers Market, 316 E 11 Mile Road, in Downtown Royal Oak, family-friendly activities, including music, games, performances, food trucks and vendors, free admission. Freedom Strive Walk is at 4 p.m., register for the walk at https://romi.gov/1570/Juneteenth.

• Oak Park Annual Juneteenth Celebration is 4-9 p.m. June 19, at Oak Park High School, 13701 Oak Park Blvd., Oak Park, speakers, music, art and dance, and student essay contest winners to be announced. Juneteenth One Mile Walk is at 8 a.m., on-site registration begins at 7 p.m., at the Oak Park High School Track, register for the walk at www.oakparkmi.gov/resident/juneteenth/index.php.

Juneteenth Concert featuring Da’Ja is 7 p.m. June 19, at The Hawk Theatre Mainstage, 29995 W. 12 Mile Road, Farmington Hills, tickets are free and must be reserved in advance at TheHawkTheatre.com.

• Annual Juneteenth in the WB Jamboree is 10 a.m.-2 p.m. June 19, at the West Bloomfield Township Recreation Activities Center, 4640 Walnut Lake Road, West Bloomfield Twp., family-friendly event with entertainment, free admission, www.wbparks.org/event/juneteenth-jamboree, 248-425-2137.

• Free admission to Cranbrook Art Museum is 11 a.m.-8 p.m. June 19, Juneteenth Day, at Cranbrook Art Museum, 39221 Woodward Ave., Bloomfield Hills, free for all on Juneteenth as a part of Free Thursdays. Visit the lower level for FIKA Café and drop-in artmaking activities for all ages, https://cranbrookartmuseum.org. Cranbrook on the Green Mini Golf will be regular price.

• Pearls of Service Foundation Juneteenth Celebration is 6-10 p.m. June 19, at the Southfield Regency Banquet Center, 25228 W 12 Mile Road, Southfield, featuring scholarship awards to local students, presentation by jazz artist Daryl Beebe, $75, tickets at www.pearlsofservicefoundation.org/juneteenth.

• Juneteenth Open Mic Event is 1-4 p.m. June 21 at the Southfield Library outside on the Front Lawn (or inside the Meeting Room in case of inclement weather). The community will be invited to present original spoken word done solo, in duets or trios, food, vendors, preregistration on the Library website is recommended to perform, and walk-in performances will be welcome if time permits. Content should be PG-13. Register at https://southfieldlibrary.org/calendar-of-events/#/events/QIY5wJfdKi/instances/3IHfEAGdn2.