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The city of Franklin will be home to two Juneteenth celebrations this month.

The second annual Juneteenth Cultural Celebration, hosted by nonprofit Amun Ra Inc., will take place Friday-Sunday, June 14-16, at Barrett’s Landing Park and College Drive Park.

The city’s Juneteenth Celebration event will take place Saturday, June 22, at Barrett’s Landing Park.

JUNETEENTH CULTURAL CELEBRATION

Ward 3 Councilman Gregory McLemore invited everyone out to the second annual Juneteenth Cultural Celebration during comments made at the Franklin City Council’s June 3 meeting.

“It’s designed to have cultural features,” he said of the celebration. “We have a Nat Turner Story Tour. We have a basketball tournament, we have bouncy houses and things for the children, we’ve got live bands, we’ve got celebrity impersonators, comedians. 

“It’s going to be a great three days, and the reason it’s three days is because we can’t compete with the larger cities with one day,” he continued. “But I hope that the citizens that are at home listening will come on out and support the second annual Juneteenth Cultural Celebration. It’s all free to the public.”

The only feature of the celebration with a fee associated is the Nat Turner Story Tour. The Juneteenth Cultural Celebration 2024 Facebook page reported Sunday evening, June 9, that the bus tour was sold out, but sign-ups were being accepted for a waiting list.

The schedule for the Juneteenth Cultural Celebration, as listed on the event’s Facebook page, is as follows:

Friday, June 14

• 6:30 p.m. — Wreath Laying Ceremony at Barrett’s Landing Park;
• 7 p.m. — Grown Folk Old Skool Party at BLP;
• 7:30 p.m. — Vendor Welcome / Sponsor Recognition at BLP;
• 7:40 p.m. — Black History Reflections at BLP;
• 8 p.m. — Open Mic at BLP; 
• 8:30 p.m. — Line Dancing with Sheena at BLP;
• 9:30 p.m. — Grown Folk Old Skool Party at BLP;

Saturday, June 15

• 1 p.m. — DJ Music & Vendor Bonanza at Barrett’s Landing/College Drive Park;
• 3 p.m. — Nat Turner Story Tour at BL/CDP;
• 4 p.m. — Basketball Tournament Playoff at CDP;
• 6 p.m. — Black History Reflections at BL/CDP;
• 7 p.m. — Line Dancing with Sheena at BL/CDP; 
• 8 p.m. — Chester B’s Tribute Show at BL/CDP;
• 10 p.m. — DL Old Skool Music at BL/CDP;

Sunday, June 16

• 3 p.m. — Bounce House/Waterslide at CDP;
• 3 p.m. — Gospel Music at BLP;
• 4 p.m. — Family Cookout at CDP;
• 4 p.m. — Black History Reflections at BL/CDP;
• 4:30 p.m. — Father’s Day Tribute at BL/CDP;
• 5 p.m. — Basketball Tournament Finals at CDP;
• 5 p.m. — African Drummers & Dancers at BLP;
• 6 p.m. — Final Open Mic at BLP;
• 7 p.m. — Live DJ at CDP;
• 7 p.m. — Frankie Beverly Tribute at CDP; and
• 9 p.m. — Red Toast/Close at BLP.

For more information on the celebration, visit www.amunra.org/.

CITY OF FRANKLIN’S JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION

The city’s Juneteenth Celebration will run from noon-5:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 22, at Barrett’s Landing.

Providing a brief order of events for the celebration, Franklin Director of Tourism A’Risha Jones noted it will feature entertainment from the Ezibu Muntu African Dance Company from Richmond; spoken word artists from the Writer’s Den RVA from Richmond; R&B/Soul artist Will Easley; and R&B/Soul band Soul Unlimited.

She noted that Easley is from Pensacola, Florida, and Soul Unlimited features Leotis Square, Trikia Clayborne, Charles Clayborne, Sam Johnson, Alicia Mason, Michael Booker, Rico Cunningham and Willie Graham. 

DJ Baby Ricks will be the DJ for the day.

Providing spoken words will be the following artists from the Writer’s Den RVA: Jasmine Howell, Maurice Brown, Roscoe Burnems and Zbey tha Poet (Zenobia Bey).

Jones indicated there will be food trucks on hand for the event, including TW’S Bistros, H & H Catering, Food Play by Rio, Funnel Cake Xpress, and BB’s Tropical Treats.

“We will have a face painter and fairy hair artist and the City of Franklin Parks and Rec (Department) will provide some fun activities for the kids,” Jones said.

She noted the event will include more than 13 vendors providing information to the public.

“Let’s honor freedom and unity together at the City of Franklin’s Juneteenth Celebration,” she said. “Immerse yourself in a day filled with cultural richness, live music, delicious food and engaging activities for the whole family. 

“We invite everyone to join us in commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans with a day filled with cultural festivities, engaging activities and meaningful reflections,” she said. “Admission is free, and all are welcome to join in this celebration of freedom, unity and diversity.”