Juneteenth weekend in Pittsburgh: Things to do
Former Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto declared Juneteenth as an official holiday in the city in August 2020
Juneteenth weekend in Pittsburgh: Things to do
Former Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto declared Juneteenth as an official holiday in the city in August 2020
AT POINT STATE PARK. TOM TODAY MARKS THE FINAL DAY OF THE WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA JUNETEENTH HOMECOMING CELEBRATION HERE IN MARKET SQUARE. YOU’LL FIND LOTS OF MINORITY OWNED SMALL BUSINESSES AS ARTISANS AND VENDORS. THE FESTIVITIES ALSO CONTINUE AT POINT STATE PARK, THE PITTSBURGH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA IS PERFORMING AT THE FESTIVAL FOR THE FIRST TIME. THAT STARTS AT THREE THIS AFTERNOON AND KICKS OFF ANOTHER DAY OF FREE ENTERTAINMENT AT THE POINT. THERE, FOLLOWED BY THE PHYLLIS HYMAN TRIBUTE BAND ROUGH ENDS AND THE OHIO PLAYERS WHO ARE HEADLINING THE FUNK BAND BEST KNOWN FOR THE SONGS FIRE AND LOVE ROLLER COASTER. THE NIGHT CELEBRATIONS WRAP UP WITH A JUNETEENTH FIREWORKS DISPLAY THAT STARTS AT 930. SOMETHING IMPORTANT TO NOTE IN AN UPDATE, CITY OFFICIALS WROTE, QUOTE, DUE TO THE LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE EXPECTED FOR THE EVENT, BAG CHECKS WILL BE CONDUCTED BY THE EVENT ORGANIZERS. PRIVATE SECURITY PERSONNEL AT THE PARKS. FIVE ENTRY POINTS PROHIBITED ITEMS IN THE PARK INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO ALCOHOL, NARCOTICS, LASER POINTERS, WEAPONS, EXPLOSIVES AND AMMUNITION. THE USE OF GRILLS IS ALSO PROHIBITED AND THE CELEBRATIONS WILL ACTUALLY CONTINUE IN MID JUNE, WITH THE PITTSBURGH BLACK MUSIC FESTIVAL THAT’S GOING TO RUN FROM JULY 13TH TO 15TH.
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Juneteenth weekend in Pittsburgh: Things to do
Former Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto declared Juneteenth as an official holiday in the city in August 2020
Juneteenth celebrations continue through Monday, June 19, around the city of Pittsburgh.The holiday marks the anniversary of June 19, 1865, when a union general led thousands of federal troops into Galveston, Texas, to announce the emancipation of the last enslaved Africans. The 10th annual Western Pennsylvania Juneteenth Homecoming Celebration kicks off Friday, June 16, through Monday, June 19, starting at 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. daily at Point State Park and 601 Commonwealth Place in Market Square. The festival will include daily performances from various musicians, including Erica Campbell, KRS-One, The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and more. A full event list can be found on Visit Pittsburgh's website.The celebration will continue with The Grand Jubilee Juneteenth Voting-Rights Parade at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 17. The procession will embark from Freedom Corner on Centre Avenue, making its way through Downtown Pittsburgh and ending at Point State Park. The parade will be followed by a voting rights forum at 1 p.m.If festivalgoers are hungry, Carmi Soul Food is offering a Juneteenth after party on the South Side, 1825 Carson St., nightly, starting Friday through Monday from 9 p.m. until 1 a.m. On Friday, June 16, from 5-8 p.m., Black History: Closer than You Think Juneteenth Celebration at the Center of Life Community Center in Hazelwood. It's a free outdoor jazz, soul, funk, and hip-hop concert with food trucks, games, and kid-friendly activities. Guests can register for free tickets here and are recommended to bring lawn chairs and blankets.The Juneteenth Jubilee at Mt. Lebanon Park will kick off on Friday, June 16, from 5-9 p.m. and feature food, balloon artistry, games and face painting.The University of Pittsburgh is hosting a Juneteenth Block Party on Saturday, June 17, from 2-6 p.m. at its Fineview Park Shelter. RSVPs are required for entry and can be done via this form or using the QR code located on the event's flyer. A Juneteenth Pool Festival is taking place at the Sewickley Community Center on Saturday, June 17, from noon through 5 p.m. Admission to the pool is $3, and there will be live performances, as well as a panel discussion on the importance of community. Carnegie Library Homestead will hold a Juneteenth program for kids ages 6-12 on Monday, June 19, from 4-5 p.m. While there, kids will learn about Juneteenth, enjoy reading activities, and win summer reading prizes by registering for a ticket. The August Wilson African American Cultural Center is hosting 'From Colored to Black Pittsburgh' on Saturday, June 17, at 1 p.m. The experience will include a screening of a multimedia play centered around health and wellness outcomes in the Black community, community story circles, and a barbeque buffet. Guests can register for the event on the center's website.At Aliquippa's Lefty Cepull Park, residents can enjoy the town's third annual Juneteenth celebration. The event is free and takes place from 2-10 p.m. on Saturday, June 17. According to organizers, there will be a petting zoo, dunk tank, music, and food. Beaver Falls' second annual Juneteenth Community Celebration is taking place on June 17 from 3-8 p.m. at 2nd Avenue Playground. Community members will enjoy local food vendors, health and wellness resources, live music, pick-up basketball, youth activities, and more.The African Heritage Room Committee is hosting their Juneteenth Poetry Celebration, a poetry and art showcase at the Cathedral of Learning, on Saturday, June 17, from 1-3 p.m.Swissvale community members can attend the town's second Annual Juneteenth Celebration on June 17 from noon until 8 p.m. at Les Getz Memorial Park. The experience will include live musical artists, free haircuts, silent auctions, raffles and more. Juneteenth 'Stop the Violence Day' is happening on June 17 at Renzie Park in McKeesport at 12 p.m. There will be a kickball tournament open to local residents and local businesses. Attendees should register for the tournament using this form. Sunday, June 18, will be Juneteenth Community Day at the Pittsburgh Glass Center from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Admission is free, and guests can witness demonstrations and lectures from local artists in honor of Juneteenth. In Westmoreland County, several towns are celebrating Juneteenth beginning Saturday, June 17, through June 24. There will be food and entertainment. A full list of events can be found here.
PITTSBURGH —
Juneteenth celebrations continue through Monday, June 19, around the city of Pittsburgh.
The holiday marks the anniversary of June 19, 1865, when a union general led thousands of federal troops into Galveston, Texas, to announce the emancipation of the last enslaved Africans.
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- The 10th annual Western Pennsylvania Juneteenth Homecoming Celebration kicks off Friday, June 16, through Monday, June 19, starting at 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. daily at Point State Park and 601 Commonwealth Place in Market Square. The festival will include daily performances from various musicians, including Erica Campbell, KRS-One, The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and more. A full event list can be found on Visit Pittsburgh's website.
- The celebration will continue with The Grand Jubilee Juneteenth Voting-Rights Parade at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 17. The procession will embark from Freedom Corner on Centre Avenue, making its way through Downtown Pittsburgh and ending at Point State Park. The parade will be followed by a voting rights forum at 1 p.m.
- If festivalgoers are hungry, Carmi Soul Food is offering a Juneteenth after party on the South Side, 1825 Carson St., nightly, starting Friday through Monday from 9 p.m. until 1 a.m.
- On Friday, June 16, from 5-8 p.m., Black History: Closer than You Think Juneteenth Celebration at the Center of Life Community Center in Hazelwood. It's a free outdoor jazz, soul, funk, and hip-hop concert with food trucks, games, and kid-friendly activities. Guests can register for free tickets here and are recommended to bring lawn chairs and blankets.
- The Juneteenth Jubilee at Mt. Lebanon Park will kick off on Friday, June 16, from 5-9 p.m. and feature food, balloon artistry, games and face painting.
- The University of Pittsburgh is hosting a Juneteenth Block Party on Saturday, June 17, from 2-6 p.m. at its Fineview Park Shelter. RSVPs are required for entry and can be done via this form or using the QR code located on the event's flyer.
- A Juneteenth Pool Festival is taking place at the Sewickley Community Center on Saturday, June 17, from noon through 5 p.m. Admission to the pool is $3, and there will be live performances, as well as a panel discussion on the importance of community.
- Carnegie Library Homestead will hold a Juneteenth program for kids ages 6-12 on Monday, June 19, from 4-5 p.m. While there, kids will learn about Juneteenth, enjoy reading activities, and win summer reading prizes by registering for a ticket.
- The August Wilson African American Cultural Center is hosting 'From Colored to Black Pittsburgh' on Saturday, June 17, at 1 p.m. The experience will include a screening of a multimedia play centered around health and wellness outcomes in the Black community, community story circles, and a barbeque buffet. Guests can register for the event on the center's website.
- At Aliquippa's Lefty Cepull Park, residents can enjoy the town's third annual Juneteenth celebration. The event is free and takes place from 2-10 p.m. on Saturday, June 17. According to organizers, there will be a petting zoo, dunk tank, music, and food.
- Beaver Falls' second annual Juneteenth Community Celebration is taking place on June 17 from 3-8 p.m. at 2nd Avenue Playground. Community members will enjoy local food vendors, health and wellness resources, live music, pick-up basketball, youth activities, and more.
- The African Heritage Room Committee is hosting their Juneteenth Poetry Celebration, a poetry and art showcase at the Cathedral of Learning, on Saturday, June 17, from 1-3 p.m.
- Swissvale community members can attend the town's second Annual Juneteenth Celebration on June 17 from noon until 8 p.m. at Les Getz Memorial Park. The experience will include live musical artists, free haircuts, silent auctions, raffles and more.
- Juneteenth 'Stop the Violence Day' is happening on June 17 at Renzie Park in McKeesport at 12 p.m. There will be a kickball tournament open to local residents and local businesses. Attendees should register for the tournament using this form.
- Sunday, June 18, will be Juneteenth Community Day at the Pittsburgh Glass Center from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Admission is free, and guests can witness demonstrations and lectures from local artists in honor of Juneteenth.
- In Westmoreland County, several towns are celebrating Juneteenth beginning Saturday, June 17, through June 24. There will be food and entertainment. A full list of events can be found here.