Juneteenth Events
Juneteenth Vendor Applications:
Merchandise Vendor Registration Form
Youth Poster Contest
“Significance and Impact of Juneteenth” Poster Contest
Contest Open Date: May 2023 | Presentation of Winners, June 17, 2023
Area youth will have the opportunity to participate in a Juneteenth poster contest in which the works of art will be displayed throughout the festival. Winners will be announced on the last day of the festival. The contest rules and criteria will be disseminated a month prior to the Juneteenth Celebration through the usual community outreach channels utilized by the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Association’s annual essay contest honoring the legacy of Dr. King.
More information will be posted here as final contest rules are established.
“Black Asheville 411”
Lunch and Learn Sessions
Noon – 1 p.m., Monday, June 12 – Friday, June 16
Tentative Topics:
- Historical Facts of Juneteenth
- History of “Black Asheville”
- Panel Discussion of “Black Asheville Gems”
- The Role of Black Churches
The Rail Project
Detailed schedules and locations will be posted, as well as a registration form as the dates approach.
Local Black and Brown Artists Tours
Monday, June 12 – Friday, June 16
A detailed list of Black and Brown Artists’ locations will be posted as we confirm participation and hours of operation.
Black Film Series
“African Americans in Film”
6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., Monday, June 12 – Friday, June 16
Location and film titles will be listed once copyright authorizations to show the films have been received.
Juneteenth Festival Celebration
“Remembering, Honoring, and Celebrating Juneteenth”
Saturday, June 17 – Sunday, June 18 | Pack Square Park
Saturday’s Tentative Events (11 a.m. – 9 p.m.):
- Opening Address and Recognition of Sponsors: Dr. Oralene Simmons
- Opening Anthem, “Lift Every Voice and Sing”
- Greetings from the City and the County, and Juneteenth Proclamations
- Juneteenth Facts and History: Mr. Jonathan McCoy
- Opening Bands
- Recognizing Black Organizations
- Walking Tours of Downtown African-American Sites
- Bands
- Dance Groups
- Children’s Art Station
- Spoken Word
Specific participants will be listed as confirmed.
Sunday’s Tentative Events (1 p.m. – 6 p.m.):
“Praise in the Park”
- Opening Address
- Local Church Choirs and Groups
- Celebrating Spirituals
- Celebrating Gospel
- Celebrating Contemporary Praise Music
- Health Fair
- Dance Groups
- Announcement of Poster Contest Winners
- Children’s Art Station
- Walking Tours of Downtown African-American Sites
- Vendors & Food Trucks
- Closing
Please Note: A Monday celebration may be added in partnership with community groups.