Celebrating Juneteenth in Charleston, South Carolina as a large-scale event is significant to our heritage and who we are as a people. Originating in Galveston, Texas, Juneteenth is now celebrated throughout the United States annually on the 19th of June, with varying official recognition. Juneteenth pays tribute and celebrates the journey to freedom, the contributions, ingenuity, and sacrifices that were made by those who came before us.
Charleston has an abundantly rich black history due to its Gullah Geechee roots and because nearly half of enslaved Africans (Afrikans) brought to America came through Charleston, and nearly 80 percent of African-Americans can potentially trace an ancestor who arrived in Charleston. Juneteenth is a pivotal milestone in African American history. It demonstrates the long, enduring fight for freedom.
On Saturday, June 17th, 2023, we will kick off our 3rd Annual Juneteenth Family Fest! This community-family-based event will take place at the Riverfront Park in North Charleston, SC, and is open and free to the public. You can arrive as early as 2 pm, and festivities will begin at 3 pm. This day-long celebration will be power-packed with activities ranging from live performances, black art displays, games for children, and delicious cultural food! There will also be non-profit organizations, local community service vendors, as well as Historical Black Colleges and Universities on site. This joyous occasion will be topped off with a grand fireworks show finale that will be worth watching with your family and friends! We’re asking the community to come out and celebrate where we’ve come from, as we look forward to where we are heading and what we desire to accomplish.