Here are 5 Juneteenth 2022 Columbia area events to celebrate the holiday
Columbia residents won’t need to travel far to enjoy a variety of Juneteenth events this weekend.
Juneteenth, which falls on Sunday this year, recognizes June 19, 1865, when Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, TX to tell slaves there that the Civil War was over and they were free. The day has been celebrated ever since, but only became an official federal holiday on June 16, 2021.
While the federal holiday falls on Sunday, most federal employees will have a day off on Monday.
If you’re looking for a way to celebrate Juneteenth in the Columbia area, try one or more of these five events.
Annual Juneteenth Freedom Festival
When: Saturday at 12 p.m.
Where: Charles W. Johnson Stadium at 1920 Two Notch Road
Come out for a day of celebration and education for the 6th Annual Juneteenth Freedom Festival. This family-friendly community event will include activities and resources, such as historical awareness and reenactment fair rides and fireworks. The will be live music and an award ceremony honoring key figures in the South Carolina Black community.
There will also be retail and food vendors, help with voter registration, along with health information including COVID testing, sickle cell awareness and other seminars.
Entry tickets will cost $25 each.
Juneteenth Celebration
When: Sunday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: Historic Harriet Barber House & Grounds, 116 Barberville Loop, Hopkins, SC
Drive just a few miles outside of downtown Columbia for the Juneteenth Celebration at the historic Harriet Barber House in Hopkins. There will be family fun and games, live entertainment, vendors, exhibits, the American Inventors Museum, presentations and more.
Admission is free.
Juneteenth at the Columbia Museum of Art
When: Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: 1515 Main Street
In celebration of Juneteenth, the Columbia Museum of Art will offer free admission for the day. Beginning at 1 p.m., take a guided tour of Black art in the museum’s collection with Dr. Nancy Tolson, CMA commissioner and University of South Carolina assistant director of African American Studies.
Self-guided tours will be available all day. All tours will be presented in partnership with the Friends of African American Art and Culture.
Juneteenth Family Fun Run
When: Saturday at 8 a.m.
Where: Semmes Lake next to Marion Street Station at 4522 Marion Ave.
Come participate in a family fun run/ walk 5K in celebration of Juneteenth. For registration information, call Pam Long at 803-751-3700.
EdVenture Juneteenth
When: Sunday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: EdVenture museum at 211 Gervais St.
The EdVenture Children’s Museum in Columbia is hosting a Juneteenth event featuring story tellers, a live painting demonstration by Gullah artist Amira Farris, live music, poetry and information on the history of sweet grass baskets.
The events are free with museum admission.
This story was originally published June 17, 2022 at 5:00 AM.
