Juneteenth Events in the Tri‑Cities!

Summer in the Tri-Cities is epic. The long daylight hours are not only great for the wine grapes in our region, it gives us plenty of time to enjoy our rivers, explore the great outdoors and, perhaps most importantly, party in the sunshine!

Juneteenth festival goers celebrate!
Tri-Cities Juneteenth Community Council

There are plenty of festivals and celebrations throughout the summer: Cinco de Mayo, Cool Desert Nights, the Mariachi & More Festival, Water Follies and Juneteenth!

Juneteenth is an annual commemoration, and now a federal holiday in the United States, of the emancipation of African American slaves. You may have also heard Juneteenth referenced as “Freedom Day” or “Emancipation Day.”

The holiday received its name by combining June and 19. On June 19, 1865, Gordon Granger, a Union general, arrived in Galveston, Texas, to share the news of the end of the Civil War and inform enslaved African Americans of their freedom. General Granger’s announcement put into effect the Emancipation Proclamation that had been issued by President Abraham Lincoln Jan. 1, 1863. Newly freed African Americans celebrated the first Juneteenth in 1866 with festivities, food, spiritual readings and more. Now Juneteenth is celebrated globally and was recognized as a national holiday in the United States in 2021.

Juneteenth has been celebrated in the Tri-Cities since the 1970s with festivities primarily taking place in Kurtzman Park in Pasco. Now Juneteenth activities are enjoyed throughout the Tri-Cities, including the Miss Juneteenth Pageant!

Skating Party at Rollarena in Richland
June 15, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Miss Juneteenth Pageant at Chiawana High School in Pasco
June 17, 6 p.m.

Juneteenth Fun Day at Kurtzman Park in Pasco
June 18, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Gospel Celebration at Kurtzman Park in Pasco
June 19, 2 p.m.

Juneteenth Celebration in Kurtzman Park

AACCES (African American Community, Cultural and Educational Society), a local organization raising awareness of African American accomplishments, challenges and contributions to the Tri-Cities, is hosting an evening Juneteenth celebration at Tagaris Winery on Saturday, June 18. The event will feature Josephine Howell, an award-winning jazz musician, tapas and wine.

To learn more about Juneteenth and other festivals in the Tri-Cities, visit our Calendar of Events.

Celebrate Juneteenth with AACCES

Tri-IDEAs is a program exploring and celebrating Inclusivity, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility through tourism in the Tri-Cities.

At Visit Tri-Cities, we believe travel is transformative on multiple levels. Exploring new destinations exposes us to different ideas, cultures, history, heritages and people. Through Tri-IDEAs, Visit Tri-Cities will connect with local business owners, community leaders, event organizers, residents and more to highlight, share and celebrate the diversity of the Tri-Cities that can be experienced through travel and tourism activities.

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