Springfield’s Juneteenth celebration is going to be big this year!
A variety of events are scheduled for June 18 and 19, including the Juneteenth Music Festival on Park Central Square. Local, national, and international artists will play their latest hits and favorites from the past to celebrate the history and culture of Juneteenth in Springfield. The wholesome, family-friendly music festival begins at 6 p.m. June 18 and 2 p.m. June 19.
Also on June 18, the DEI 5K and Kid Run, an in-person and virtual challenge, is set for 7 a.m. to noon and the Freedom Walk begins at 11 a.m.
If you’re planning to attend the festival, get a free general admission ticket here to help in tallying attendance at the event. General admission includes participation in the Freedom Walk and other activities, such as bounce houses, music and interaction with local organizations.
For those who want an even more enhanced experience, paid tickets include an event T-shirt and other items, such as unlimited free cotton candy, popcorn and lunch; race medals for the first 100 guests who complete the run and the music festival.
The Juneteenth celebration is a fundraiser and money raised will go toward funding the event. Anything over will support United Community Change, a local nonprofit developing diversity, equity and inclusion programs.
Juneteenth is a federal holiday commemorating the emancipation of enslaved people in the United States. The holiday was first celebrated in Texas, where on June 19, 1865, slaves in the United States were declared free under the terms of the 1862 Emancipation Proclamation.
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