Juneteenth Returns for an Expanded Two-Day Festival
The MetroHealth Cleveland Juneteenth Freedom Fest will offer a newly expanded two-day event on Friday, June 16th, from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., and Saturday, June 17th, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., on Mall C in Downtown Cleveland. Residents and visitors alike are invited to come together for this free, family-friendly event featuring live music, vendors, food trucks, entertainment, and more.
Produced in partnership with host committee members – Heather Holmes Dillard, Executive Vice President, Downtown Cleveland Alliance; Tony Sias, President & CEO, Karamu House; Alan K. Nevel, Senior Vice President, Chief Equity and Community Impact Officer, MetroHealth; Kevin Clayton, Senior Vice President, Head of Social Impact and Equity, Cleveland Cavaliers; Kathryn M. Hall, Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion, JACK Entertainment; Emily Appelbaum, Executive Artistic Director, Ingenuity Cleveland; and Colette M. Jones, Chief Marketing Officer, The Cleveland Foundation – this year’s festival is being expanded to provide members of the community, partners, and participants with two days to educate, activate, and celebrate this national holiday. A commemoration to the ending of slavery on June 19, 1865, the MetroHealth Cleveland Juneteenth Freedom Fest will spotlight the rich historical presence of African American arts and culture in Cleveland.
“We are thrilled to showcase some of the area’s best artistic, small business, culinary and entrepreneurial talent,” said Heather Holmes Dillard. The fun and festivities will include a Vendor Village and Soul Food Row, which will provide opportunities to support local Black-owned businesses and entrepreneurs. The schedule will also offer a variety of community programming and education, spoken-word performances, interactive art demonstrations, and much more.
Event attendees are encouraged to take advantage of the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority, (GCRTA) bus, rail, Park-N-Ride, and paratransit; for available routes and schedules, please visit RideRTA.com.
For pre-event and day-of interviews and photography requests, please contact Chanté Jones at cjones@fallsandco.com or 216-509-7232.