By Here’s your guide to Juneteenth celebrations taking place across Brevard.
What is Juneteenth? The holiday’s history and significance, explained.
Biden just signed legislation to make Juneteenth a federal holiday. Here’s why this once local celebration is significant to U.S. history.
Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
Juneteenth – short for “June nineteenth” – is an annual federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. The history of the holiday dates back to June 19, 1865, when federal soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas to ensure slaves were freed in accordance with the Emancipation Proclamation.
In 2021, President Joe Biden signed into law theJuneteenth National Independence Day Act establishing Juneteenth as the 11th holiday recognized by the federal government.
Here’s a guide to some of the Juneteenth celebrations across Brevard. Event details are subject to change, so we encourage you to check with presenting organizations about the status of their events.
‘Celebrate Freedom’ Juneteenth Arts and Cultural Festival in Cocoa Village
The community event will be at Cocoa Riverfront Park, 401 Riveredge Blvd., Cocoa Village, on Saturday, June 15 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. It will feature a parade, live entertainment, food, kids’ activities, vendors, arts and crafts and more. Admission is free. Call 321-614-1286, email juneteenth@brevardweedandseed.org, or visit cocoafl.gov.
Juneteenth Celebration at the Moore Cultural Complex
The Harry T. & Harriette V. Moore Cultural Center and Museum, 2180 Freedom Ave., Mims, will host a Juneteenth celebration on Saturday, June 29 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. It will include entertainment, music, games and food vendors. Visit brevardfl.gov or call 321-264-6595.
Little Black Book Drive
The Little Black Book Drive will distribute free books to area youth this Juneteenth and beyond to further the study of Black history, STEM fields and Black literature. Books being offered this year include biographies on Malcolm X, Harriet Tubman and Mae Jemison, writings on accomplishments in the fields of aviation and physics, motivational readings for teens, modern fiction, comic books and graphic novels. The Little Black Book Drive will distribute free books at the Juneteenth Arts & Cultural Festival from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 15 at the Cocoa Riverfront Park, 401 Riveredge Blvd. Children and youth must be present to select their own books. Books also will be distributed to youth at the Juneteenth Celebration on June 29 at the Harry T. Moore Cultural Center and Museum, 2180 Freedom Ave., Mims. Call 321-917-4641.
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Do you have a community event? Email tgif@floridatoday.com at least three weeks in advance for consideration for the Things to Do roundup.
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Christina LaFortune is the Entertainment and TGIF Editor at FLORIDA TODAY. Follow her on Facebook at facebook.com/christinalafortune or send her an email at clafortune@floridatoday.com.
