Latest News

Juneteenth Events in Dayton: How to Celebrate


With Juneteenth coming up this Saturday, here are some ways to celebrate in and around Dayton, Ohio.

June 19, 1865, marks the day the last slaves in Texas were told of their freedom, two and a half years after Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation to free all slaves.

Now, over 170 years later, June 19 is in the process of becoming a federal holiday. The Senate passed the necessary bill Tuesday, and it is expected to easily pass the house and head to President Joe Biden’s desk, according to the Associated Press.

Here are some events happening this weekend to celebrate the freedom of all slaves in America.

Juneteenth Festival

Taking place at Riverscape Metro Park in Downtown Dayton, this festival will have live music, a drill team competition and available food vendors.

The event is on June 19, 1 – 8:30 p.m.

A Juneteenth Luau

This Luau, taking place at Encore Studios, 14 Bates St., is from 6-10 p.m.

There will be drink and food vendors and a three on three basketball tournament.

General admission is free. For more information, click here >>

Levitt Pavilion Juneteenth Concert

The Levitt Pavilion in Dayton, Ohio is hosting a free concert featuring Tank and the Bangas, a ‘a five-piece group that has a rare knack for combining various musical styles—fiery soul, deft hip-hop, deep-groove R&B, and subtle jazz—into one dazzling, cohesive whole that evokes the scope of New Orleans music while retaining a distinctive feel all its own.’

Opening ceremonies are 5-7 p.m. and the music will begin at 7 p.m. More information can be found here >>

Sankofa Juneteenth 2021 Community Celebration

Hosted by the Coalition on African Liberation, a weekend including life performances, a parade, food vendors and more will start Friday, June 18.

Datyon’s Young Black Professionals are hosting a community conversation about ‘re-imagining freedom.’ It will start on June 18 at 5 p.m. It will be held at Dayton View Park on North Broadway Street.

Saturday’s festivities will begin with a parade of drummers, drill teams, motorcycles and classic cars. The parade will start at the Gem City Market and end at Dayton View Park.

From 11 a.m. to dusk, the Dayton View Park will be host to several events including live performances, an afrocentric fashion show, an elder’s recognition and more.

Springboro Juneteenth Jubilee

A family-friendly event, the Jubilee will take place at the Springboro YMCA from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Live music and performances will be available at North Park Amphitheater, 195 Tamarack Trail, from noon until 8 p.m.

Other events inlcude Underground Railroad tours and three on three basketball games starting at 9 a.m.

More information can be found here >>

Juneteenth at the Gammon House

The Gammon House, a local Springfield landmark, is celebrating Juneteenth after canceling last year due to the pandemic.

The Gammon House, built in 1850 and located at 620 Piqua Place in Springfield, will begin this year’s celebration Saturday, June 19, with a new event: a 5K run/walk for Freedom. The 5K begins at 8 a.m. and the annual FatherFest will follow with food vendors and music from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

More information can be found here >>


Makenzie Hoeferlin

Editor-in-Chief

Verified by MonsterInsights