Happy Juneteenth! “This June 19, I am proud to join communities across Assembly District 18 to celebrate Juneteenth,” State Assemblymember Mia Bonta wrote in a newsletter to constituents. “Juneteenth is a historic holiday that recognizes the end of slavery and offers a moment to appreciate the contributions of abolitionists, activists, and African American communities who fought for equality and freedom across the United States.”
Juneteenth specifically commemorates June 19, 1865, when news of Union victory in the Civil War and enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation reached Galveston, Texas. The following year, freed men in Texas held the first annual celebration of “Jubilee Day” on June 19, which continued to grow into the Juneteenth celebration we know today.
Juneteenth is now a federal holiday. However, it’s not an official holiday across all states. In California, Juneteenth is a “day of observance’ rather than a paid holiday for many workers, so a lot of celebrations are scheduled the weekend before or after June 19. Here in Alameda, the big celebration at South Shore took place over the weekend, with food, live music, dancing, and lots of family-friendly fun for all who participated.
The celebration continues.
The following Juneteenth events take place on (or after) June 19 in neighboring cities, towns, and parks.
- June 19: Hella Juneteenth Cookout, Oakland Museum Garden, 1000 Oak St., Oakland, 1 to 5 p.m. Hella Creative and Last Supper Society host “The Cookout” in the Oakland Museum (OMCA) Garden. The special Cookout Plate, featuring the Bay Area’s finest Black chefs and Black-owned restaurants, sold out early, but food will be available for purchase from the museum’s Town Fare Café, and guests are welcome to bring their own picnic. DJs include Fat Tony, DJ Kenzo, and DJ Darling Cool. There’s also a spades tournament, a line dance, and lawn games. Admission is $10 for adults; children 12 and under are free.
- June 19: Singer/Songwriter Wednesday/Juneteenth Edition, Golden Gate Bandshell, 75 Hagiwara Tea Garden Dr., San Francisco, 4 to 7 p.m. Stephanie Woodford Quartet plays at 4 p.m., followed by Veotis and Friends at 5:15 p.m., and August Lee Stevens at 6 p.m. Free.
- June 19: Juneteenth Celebration of Freedom, Silliman Center, 6800 Mowry Ave., Newark, 1 to 3 p.m. Live entertainment, cultural exhibition, food trucks, giveaways, family-friendly activities and more.
- June 19: Celebration Hike, Coyote Hills Regional Park, 8000 Patttersons Ranch Rd., Fremont, 10 to 11:30 a.m. Short walk in the marsh to commemorate the contributions and accomplishments of Black individuals throughout history, particularly in the realms of science, conservation, and art. All ages. Parent participation required. Parking fees apply where charged. This is a drop-in program; no registration is required. More information: 510-544-3220.
- June 22: Lakefest Oakland, Lake Merritt, 568 Bellevue Ave., Oakland, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. There’s something for everybody at this celebration, from live music, DJs and an artisan marketplace to a food court featuring a huge variety of American, ethnic, and fusion cuisine. The beer garden offers a wide variety of craft beers and local brews, along with your tried-and-true favorites. And of course, there’s a kids fun zone and a tech pavilion with VR and video gaming.
