Yolo County’s Early Juneteenth Holiday Celebration is a grassroots, free family event where community members come together to celebrate the freedom of enslaved African Americans in the United States.
The celebration takes place this Sunday, June 5 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the UC Davis Conference Center and the JManetti Shrem Museum of Art. The UC Davis Conference Center is located at 550 Alumni Lane, Davis 95616. The Manetti Shrem Museum of Art is located across the street at 254 Old Davis Road, Davis 95616. There is free parking on Sundays in the garage and surrounding lot next to the museum.
The Juneteenth theme for 2022 is “The Road to Freedom Day” and will honor Black artists and artisans, performers, elders, and musicians. The family friendly celebration will include live entertainment, educational presentations, art displays, activities for youth, giveaways, artisan vendors, food trucks, sponsor tables and more.
Davis Media Access will record the celebration and post it on YouTube June 19, the actual day of the holiday.
Juneteenth, an annual holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States, has been celebrated by African Americans since the late 1800s. However, following nationwide protests of police brutality there is a renewed interest in the day celebrating freedom. The holiday is named by combining June and 19. The day is also called Juneteenth Independence Day or Freedom Day. On June 17, 2021, it became the 11th holiday recognized by the federal government.
Please visit yolojuneteenth.org for more information.