Block parties, concerts, art exhibitions and parades are all in store for Nashville this Saturday as the nation celebrates Juneteenth commemorating June 19, 1865, when the last enslaved African Americans were informed they had been set free.
As the holiday falls right in the middle of the weekend (and this is Nashville) there s no shortage of celebrations this year. Some of the biggest events include:
Music City Freedom Festival: The city s historic Hadley Park hosts an afternoon festival with live music, food trucks, local vendors and inflatables for the kids.
12-6 p.m., Hadley Park (1037 28th Avenue N.), free. musiccityfreedomfest.com
Juneteenth615: Nashville s longstanding African American Cultural Alliance co-presents an evening of reflection and rejoicing at Fort Negley Park, with live music including African drummers and dancers, food trucks and a fireworks display.
Juneteenth events in Lancaster County and beyond
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20+ Juneteenth events in and near Lancaster County, from movie showings to dance workshops
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Black-owned small businesses from the region will gather this weekend in Lancaster at the Black Business Expo and Food Fest.
Hosted by the African American Cultural Alliance of Lancaster, the two-day event will include a live DJ, product demos, and 40 vendors, says president Derek Smith, 10 of which will be selling food.
Located in the space formerly occupied by West Elm Outlet at the Shops @Rockvale, the event will spill into the adjacent parking lot, with food trucks and stands from Lancaster, Philadelphia and Carlisle.
The lineup includes soul food from caterers Something 2 Eat and Our Mommaâs Kitchen, barbecue from Barkleyâs BBQ, waffle burgers from Meat the Browns, Middle East-inspired fare from Grape Leaf Café and East African bites from The Bridge.
There will never be another John Lewis.
In the world of social justice, it is rare for our most prominent leaders to live a long life think of Martin, Malcolm and Huey P. Newton. Seeing our leaders turn into elected officials is even more of a rarity. John Lewis was able to do both, and become a uniquely revered figure along the way.
To those of us doing the work of social justice, Lewis was a freedom fighter and a mentor. To those who work in politics regardless of party affiliation he was a highly respected official. To those of us who have dabbled in both, he was a symbol of ultimate balance.