Don't Mess with Juneteenth - A Texas Celebration

While Texas may be known for its vast size, huge interstate system, and rich culture, it holds a significant place in American history as the birthplace of Juneteenth. This important commemoration of freedom began in Galveston, Texas, and has since spread nationwide, becoming a federal holiday in 2021. Now, Texas is known for its city-wide events in Galveston, Houston, and Ft. Worth that start in early June and run through the month. With these cities connected via only two major interstates, I35 and I45, folks can easily hit up celebrations in all three!

The First Juneteenth

On June 19th, 1865, General Gordon Granger announced, "The people of Texas are informed that in accordance with a Proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free," in Galveston, Texas, marking the start of celebratory traditions that have spread across the nation. Early celebrations involved baseball, fishing, and rodeos. Since African-Americans were often prohibited from using public facilities, these events were held at churches or near water, with celebrants enjoying large meals and dressing in their best attire. Known as the "longest-running African-American holiday" and "America's Second Independence Day," Juneteenth Independence Day was first introduced to the House of Representatives in 1996and finally declared a federal holiday on June 17, 2021. Today, Juneteenth events nationwide emphasize teaching African-American heritage, celebrating soul food, and often include voter registration efforts, theatrical performances, storytelling, and music. While the main goal is to help instill a sense of heritage and pride in Black youth, these events also educate the broader community about African-American culture through lectures and exhibitions.

Galveston

As the birthplace of Juneteenth, Galveston goes all out, with this year marking its 160th anniversary. The Official Juneteenth Return features live dance performances that tell the story of freedom, a soul band that's "bringing rhythm and roots," and a curated art exhibit at the Nia Cultural Center. The 46th Annual Al Edwards Juneteenth Celebration includes a traditional reenactment of the General Order No. 3 reading and speeches honoring Al Edwards—an instrumental figure in making Juneteenth a state holiday. The Emancipation March and Service at Reedy Chapel allows participants to retrace historical footsteps through downtown Galveston, followed by family-friendly activities. (Click here to see all road closures for this event.) Festivities are closed out with the Freedom, Fireworks, and Family event at Menard Park, featuring opening remarks from the Mayor, speeches honoring local veterans and a family whose relative served as one of Galveston's first Black lifeguards during segregation. Entertainment includes performances by DJ Spicy and violinist Dominique Hammons, culminating in a spectacular fireworks display over the Gulf. For a full list of all activities during this celebration, check out this link.

Houston

Houston spreads out their Juneteenth by offering multiple citywide celebrations. Though an extensive list can be found here, we're going to focus on a few different ones to showcase the variety. Houston Freedmen's Town Conservancy is hosting a month-long series of events to commemorate 160 years of Juneteenth, including, "Juneteenth 160 Fest: Building What We Started." This event includes yoga, dance, games, face painting, and educational workshops, as well as a special fireside chat with Dr. Marc Lamont Hill and a tribute to the former mayor and congressman, Sylvester Turner. The Juneteenth Teacakes and Historic House Tour has become a tradition, as teacakes and red punch are offered while exploring three houses designated by UNESCO as Sites of Memory for their "Routes of Enslaved Peoples' Project:" Kellum-Noble House (1847), Fourth Ward Cottage (1866), and Yates House (1870). At the Celebration of Emancipation at The Savoy, kids are sure to have all-day fun with pony rides, a bounce house, rock climbing, a petting zoo, and more! And of course, you can't have a Juneteenth celebration without music. The Juneteenth Dance Workshop pays tribute to ancestral legacy and features a lineup of classes that range from traditional to contemporary styles rooted in the African diaspora, and includes Afro-Peruvian, Salsa, Haitian Folkloric, and more.

Fort Worth

Fort Worth also hosts several city-wide events for their Juneteenth celebration. The Freedom Vibes concert series is hailed as the nation's premiere Juneteenth celebration. This year, the Bass Performance Hall will showcase performances by Orchestra Noir and The O'Jays, with special guests, The Whispers. Nature lovers can celebrate with the whole family at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden with free admission. Fort Worth is also the future home of the National Juneteenth Museum, announced in 2022, and will serve as a permanent cultural institution dedicated to preserving the history of Juneteenth. However, the event that everyone knows Fort Worth for is the annual Opal Lee Walk.

You can't talk about Texas and Juneteenth without Opal Lee, a Fort Worth resident affectionately called the "Grandmother of Juneteenth." In 2016, 89-year-old Opal Lee started her walk for change, gathering signatures for a petition to make Juneteenth a national holiday, starting from Fort Worth and ending at Washington, D.C. She admits she didn't walk the entire time but she did walk "some hundreds of miles," stopping in Shreveport, Little Rock, St. Louis, Chicago, and Atlanta. Afterward, Opal Lee continued an annual walk, this time for 2.5 miles, to symbolize the 2.5 years it took for the South to be freed after the Emancipation Proclamation had gone into effect. Currently, Opal Lee leads a public walk open to anyone through Fort Worth's cultural district, ending at Farrington Field, where participants can enjoy refreshments, local and regional artists on the Main Stage, and food and beverage vendors. Senior citizens and those with mobility challenges are asked to register for the shuttle, which follows the walkers along the route. Now, at 98 years old, who wouldn't want to join this living cultural icon for a walk? In 2024, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom—a well-deserved tribute acknowledging her instrumental role in making Juneteenth a federally recognized holiday.

From Galveston's historical legacy to Houston's city-wide events and Fort Worth's Opal Lee, Texas is where to be for Juneteenth events that honor both the past and future of this holiday. Whether you're traveling along I-45 between Houston and Galveston, or I-35 heading from Houston to Fort Worth, remember that Interstate Highways mark the way!