How to honor Juneteenth in Tampa Bay
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The Juneteenth flag displayed Friday at the city of Tampa's annual Juneteenth flag raising. Photo: City of Tampa
Juneteenth is on Thursday, and there are numerous ways to celebrate the holiday across Tampa Bay.
Why it matters: Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, the day enslaved people in Texas learned of their emancipation.
The big picture: Despite recent backlash against civil rights and discussions of racism, celebrations of the holiday are growing, Axios' Russell Contreras reports.
Zoom in: Here's how to celebrate locally:
Tampa Bay Juneteenth Festival, Tampa: This weeklong celebration kicks off Monday night with a youth summit, continues through the week with community discussions and a Top Golf fundraiser and culminates in a free block party-style festival on Saturday at Raymond James Stadium.
Juneteenth Celebration, St. Petersburg: Head to the Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American Museum for family-friendly activities and the "Harriet Tubman: The Beacon of Hope" exhibit.
- 10am-2pm Thursday at the Woodson
Juneteenth Celebration on the Deuces, St. Petersburg: This party in the heart of St. Pete's Black business district will feature vendors, artists and more.
- 11am-8pm Thursday at The Catalyst on the Deuces
Friends of Ridgecrest Juneteenth Celebration/Fish Fry, Largo: Shout out local high school and college graduates and indulge in a fish fry at this celebration in the historically Black Ridgecrest community.
- The graduate celebration starts at 10am and the fish fry starts at noon at the YMCA of the Suncoast - Greater Ridgecrest Branch
Tampa Heights Cultural Fest - A Juneteenth Community Celebration, Tampa: This free, family-friendly event will include live music, local vendors, food, a community kickball game and more.
- 5-9pm Sunday at the Tampa Heights Junior Civic Association
Juneteenth Arts Festival, Sarasota: Join the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe for a free day of local art and short films, a free jazz concert, a documentary screening and more.
- 11am-7pm Sunday at the troupe's North Orange Avenue campus
East Pasco Juneteenth Community Celebration, Wesley Chapel: This free festival will feature music and dancing, a video game lounge, a Juneteenth pageant and a sweet potato pie contest. Yum!
- 11am-2pm Saturday at the Wesley Chapel Recreation Complex
Juneteenth: A Freedom Celebration, Tarpon Springs: Catch water slides, live music, line dancing and free food at this festival in east Tarpon.
- 10am-1pm Saturday, Dorsett Park
Juneteenth Freedom Festival, Lakeland: Historical exhibits, food vendors and live music will round out this free celebration of freedom and unity.
- 1pm-6pm June 28, Simpson Park Community Center
Editor's note: This story was updated with additional events.