In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the official Las Vegas Juneteenth Festival has been canceled and will resume in 2021.
Juneteenth commemorates the day Union general Gordon Granger read an order emancipating black Americans in Texas on June 19, 1865.
Also known as Freedom Day, Juneteenth celebrates the African traditions—such as food, art, history and music—embedded in American culture.
The Las Vegas foundation teamed up with designer and artist Synthia Saint James, who was behind the first United States Postal Service Kwanzaa stamp, to create a series of cloth masks for sale (available at june19lv.com/product/juneteenth).
Despite the cancellation, there are still other Juneteenth events scheduled throughout the Valley on June 19, including:
• Juneteenth Celebration at Craig Ranch Regional Park, featuring live performances and a fashion showcase. Masks are required, with a cash prize awarded for best face mask. Social distancing will be enforced. 5 p.m., 628 W. Craig Road.
• Juneteenth Community Collaboration at Lorenzi Park, hosted by Save Our Sons Vegas, with dance performances, speakers, music, a kids’ 2K fun run, food and more. 2-7 p.m., 3343 W. Washington Ave.
• Sippin Sistahz Juneteenth Jam at Tropical Breeze Park, featuring guest speaker minister Stretch Sanders. 2 p.m., 1505 E. Tropical Parkway.
• Juneteenth Freedom Function at Cork and Thorn wine bar, with food and music. Sounds by DJ Tonearmz. 9 p.m.-1 a.m., 70 W. Imperial Ave.
–Leslie Ventura
