Juneteenth-Celebrating Freedom Day 

Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board

Juneteenth Activities

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For 2021, MPRB and the Juneteenth Community Board commemorate Juneteenth with a week of activities in various parks. A variety of in-person, virtual and distanced options allow everyone can participate based on their own comfort level with small or larger groups of people.

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June 13-19

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Juneteenth Story Strolls

Story Strolls are a fun way to enjoy reading while spending time outdoors. Community members are invited to visit the park and walk the path as they read the book. This is a self-guided tour that families can enjoy at their leisure.

Story Stroll signs will be up on a continuous basis for the week.

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“Black is a Rainbow Color” by Angela Joy
Location: trails near Theodore Wirth Beach area

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“Juneteenth for Mazie” by Floyd Cooper
Location: Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Park

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“The Undefeated” by Kwame Alexander
Location: North Commons Park.

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Presented in collaboration with Hennepin County Library. 

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June 15

Dusk/9 pm
Drive-In Movie: “42”
Location: MPRB Headquarters

Register: 

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June 17

6-8 pm
Community Panel Discussion – Bridging the Gap
Virtual

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June 18

7-9 pm
Shingle Creek Juneteenth Family Night
Location: Creekview Park

• Announcement of Essay Contest Award Winner and Coloring Contest 

• DJ music provided Djdime

• A special announcement from General Granger 

• Youth dance performance 

• Distribution of Juneteenth Activity Bags

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June 18

Dusk/9 pm
Outdoor Movie: The Great Debaters
Location: Creekview Park

All June 18th activities presented in collaboration with Shingle Creek Neighborhood Association and Creekview Park. 

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June 19

10am-Noon
Community Panel Discussion – Public Safety: Where Do We Go From Now
Virtual

1 pm – 3 pm
Music in the Park – DJ D.I.M.E., Jovonta Patton, Royal Family Music Group
Flight for Freedom – Kite Flight
Location: Bethune Park

9 pm
Outdoor Movie: Jumanji: The Next Level
Location: Webber Park

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Juneteenth History

Also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, Juneteenth is one of two freedom celebrations held throughout the United States; the other is the Fourth of July.

It originated in 1865 and is the oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States. It was on June 19 of that year that Major General Gordon Granger and his troops landed at Galveston, Texas, where they announced – and enforced – President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, which had officially taken effect two and a half years earlier. Find out more about the history and evolution of this celebration at Juneteenth.com.

Juneteenth
Jubilee
 A MN Black Box Bazaar  

Date: Sat, June 19, 2021

Time: 10:00 AM- 4:00 PM CDT