The 11th annual Johnson County Juneteenth Commemoration will take place from Tuesday, June 14 to Sunday, June 19, 2022. All events are open to the public and there is no fee to attend.

Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. On June 19, 1865, 2 ½ years after the Emancipation Proclamation, Union soldiers sailed into Galveston, Texas, and read aloud the order, freeing a quarter of a million slaves who were residing in the state.

The current list of events includes:

Tuesday, June 14, 7 to 8:30 p.m. – Screening of Juneteenth, Virtual. Information available at https://www.icgov.org/news/office-equity-and-human-rights-host-two-night-virtual-event-honor-juneteenth.  

Wednesday, June 15, noon to 1 p.m. – Juneteenth and Emancipation, Virtual history presentation. Information available at https://www.icgov.org/news/office-equity-and-human-rights-host-virtual-presentation-emancipation-and-juneteenth.

Wednesday, June 15, 7 to 8:30 p.m. – High on the Hog: How African American Cuisine Transformed America, Virtual book club. Information available at https://www.icgov.org/news/office-equity-and-human-rights-host-two-night-virtual-event-honor-juneteenth.

Thursday, June 16, 6 p.m. – Oracles Community Conversations: Blackness and Belonging in Iowa City, 611 Southgate Avenue, Iowa City. The Center for Afrofuturist Studies' Oracles team has been working for almost two years to bring public art to Iowa City that celebrates Black joy and welcomes Black residents. Part of this is a continuing dialog with the community about the feelings behind the art. Join us for the next installment in our community conversations series as we dive into issues surrounding Blackness and Belonging in Iowa City. This forum will assess the culture of public art in Iowa City and how well it serves its Black community.

Friday, June 17, 4 to 7 p.m. – Meet and Greet, Gene’s, 210 S. Dubuque Street, Iowa City

Friday, June 17, 6 p.m. – Downtown at Sundown, Chauncey Swan Park, 405 E. Washington Street, Iowa City. Enjoy food and snow cones, bounce houses, games, street basketball, vendors, a DJ and a fashion show. 

Friday, June 17, 9:30 p.m. – Live music by New Shining Star: A Tribute to Earth, Wind and Fire, Iowa City Pedestrian Mall

Saturday, June 18, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. – Blood Drive, Mercer Park, 2701 Bradford Drive, Iowa City. To schedule an appointment for blood donation, go to https://login.bloodcenter.org/.../drive_schedule/107927.

Saturday, June 18, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Juneteenth in our Neighborhood, Mercer Park, 2701 Bradford Drive, Iowa City. Financial, health, and wellness vendors will be onsite to provide information and answer questions. Local performers will showcase their talents, there will be children’s activities including a bounce house, and free food while supplies last.

Saturday, June 18, noon to 4 p.m. – Juneteenth in our Neighborhood, S.T. Morrison Park, 1513 7th Street, Coralville. Financial, health, and wellness vendors will be onsite to provide information and answer questions. Local performers will showcase their talents, there will be children’s activities including a bounce house, and free food while supplies last.

More information is available at https://www.facebook.com/jciajuneteenth.  

Johnson County strives to host inclusive, accessible meetings and events that enable all individuals, including individuals with disabilities, to engage fully. To request a modification or for inquiries about accessibility, please contact Paola Jaramillo Guayara; Diversion, Equity and Inclusion Coordinator; at 319-356-6000 or [email protected].