Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865. On that day, the Union army advanced into Texas and Oklahoma, informing the enslaved Black people there that they were free, two months after the end of the Civil War and more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued. The community threw a celebration so memorable that we continue to replicate it.
Attend a Juneteenth celebration in your community!
Monday, June 9
History of Juneteenth: Remember Our History, Release the Past, and Reshape Our Future
6:00 p.m.
Des Moines Public Library
Friday, June 13
Clinton Iowa Juneteenth
6:00 p.m.
Clinton Park, Clinton
Saturday, June 14
African American Museum of Iowa’s Juneteenth Festival
11:00 a.m.
NewBo City Market, Cedar Rapids
Saturday, June 14
Quad City Juneteenth Festival
11:00 a.m.
LeClaire Park, Davenport, IA
Saturday, June 14
Juneteenth Celebration Hike
9:00 a.m.
Fort Des Moines Park, Des Moines
Tuesday, June 17
Juneteenth Feature Film: “The Negro Artist” with Q&A
6:30 p.m.
Washington Public Library, Washington
Thursday, June 19
Iowa Juneteenth Jubilee
5:00 p.m.
State Historical Building, Des Moines
Thursday, June 19
Fifth Annual Juneteenth Tea
Noon
Grand View University, Des Moines
Saturday, June 21
Neighbor’s Day Celebration
Noon
Western Gateway Park, Des Moines
Saturday, June 21
30th Annual Juneteenth Celebration
1:00 p.m.
Sullivan Memorial Park, Waterloo
Saturday, June 28
Juneteenth African Attire Ball
6:00 p.m.
Waterloo Center for the Arts, Waterloo
