Juneteenth celebrations aplenty planned for North Minneapolis

Miss Black Minnesota USA, Thandisizwe Jackson-Nisan, held the Juneteenth flag during the opening Juneteenth festivities at Bethune Park in 2018. Photo by David Pierini

By David Pierini, Editor

Looking for a Juneteenth celebration? North Minneapolis residents need not travel far. Several events to commemorate the end of American slavery are planned for the Northside.

In the lead-up to Juneteenth weekend, the Sumner Library, 611 Van White Memorial Blvd, will host a program entitled Honoring Ancestors: Dreaming Forward Juneteenth 2022 on Sunday, June 12 from 2-5 p.m. There will be poetry, dance, music, food and storytelling from local groups and performers.

The program will also recognize the legacies of artist Bill Cottman and editor and activist Mel Reeves, both Northsiders, who recently died. The event will be held outside and move indoors if the weather turns.

The Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board (MPRB) will kick off Juneteenth weekend

on Friday, June 17 with a movie at dusk at Creekview Park, 5001 Humboldt Ave. N. The title of the freedom-themed movie has not been announced.

MPRB will continue its annual celebration on Saturday, June 18, from noon to 6 p.m. at Bethune Park, 1304 10th Ave. N. A parade of dance, musical and theatrical acts will take the stage and a variety of vendors, from non-profit organizations to local businesses, will be on hand to provide fest-goers with resources.

There will also be a re-enactment of June 19, 1865, when Major Gen. Gordon Granger and Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas to announce and enforce President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation. It was the south’s last slave holdout and the arrival of troops official marked the end of slavery.

Also on Saturday, Sanctuary Covenant Church, 710 W. Broadway Ave. N., will hold a Juneteenth bash on the church lawn from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. that will include a health fair, kids activities, vendors and free food.

“Get Fit 4 Life” community workouts will run at 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m, and 2:30 p.m.

On Sunday, the Black Owned Businesses Rewards Club will take over West Broadway Avenue North between Bryant and Emerson avenues for a Juneteenth block from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The event will kick off with a brunch and Fathers in Solidarity Rally.
There will also be several local Black-owned businesses represented in a row of vendors. There will be live music, kids’ activities, exhibitions and fun competitions throughout the day.