~ Bloomington, IN - The City of Bloomington, in collaboration with Indiana University's Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center and African American Arts Institute (AAAI), along with Food Truck Friday, is excited to announce the upcoming 2026 Juneteenth Celebration. This event will take place on Friday, June 19 at Switchyard Park and is open to the entire community.

Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, Emancipation Day, and Jubilee Day, commemorates the day when enslaved people in Galveston, Texas were finally informed of their freedom on June 19, 1865 - more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. This holiday has long been recognized as a celebration of freedom, resilience, culture, and progress within Black communities across the United States. Today, Juneteenth serves as an opportunity for communities to come together in celebration and reflection while also promoting shared learning. In fact, in 2021 it became the nation's 11th federal holiday - a testament to its enduring significance in American history and culture.

The festivities will kick off at 11 a.m. and continue until 9 p.m., featuring food trucks and local vendors offering a variety of delicious options for attendees. Additionally, there will be informational booths from community organizations sharing resources and services available to residents. For those over 21 years old, there will also be a beer garden open from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

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Live entertainment will be a highlight of the celebration with performances starting at 12:30 p.m. by Indiana University Camp S.O.U.L students. This group is sponsored by AAAI which aims to support Black artistic expression and cultural education through music, dance, theatre, and performance programs. As part of the Summer Performing Arts Series of free concerts hosted by the city, there will also be evening performances starting at 6:15 p.m. with a live, acoustic, multi-genre performance by The Lucky Sevens. The headliner for the evening will be pop-rock artist Jenn Cristy at 7:15 p.m.

Community organizations, nonprofits, and vendors interested in participating in the event must register through the City of Bloomington website by June 15. All activities will take place outdoors at Switchyard Park and guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or picnic blankets to enjoy an evening of celebration, reflection, entertainment, and community connection.

For more information and details on how to register as a vendor, please visit the City of Bloomington webpage at bloomington.in.gov/CFRD or contact Shatoyia Moss at 812-349-3430. This promises to be a fun-filled and meaningful event for all members of the community to come together and celebrate Juneteenth.

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