Sacramento Juneteenth: A Celebration of Freedom

Sacramento’s Celebration of the Emancipation Proclamation

This summer marks Sacramento’s 12th annual Juneteenth Festival scheduled for June 14-16 in William Land Park. The Juneteenth Festival is a celebration of the Emancipation Proclamation signed in 1863 by President Abraham Lincoln declaring all those enslaved were freed.

Produced by the Sacramento Convention & Visitors Bureau (SCVB), and supported by the Sacramento Observer, the Juneteenth Festival begins Friday June 14 from 7-9:30 p.m. with a “Gospel Under the Stars” concert at the William Land Park Amphitheatre—followed by a day full of celebration on Saturday from 11 am-6 pm. The event is free and offers fun and entertainment for the whole family.

New this year is an Abraham Lincoln impersonator and Saturday’s kick-off event the “Juneteenth Freedom Mile”—a one mile race in partnership with the Sacramento Running Association. Special guest Lea Wallace, a Sac State graduate and 2016 Olympic hopeful, will be available to meet before and after the race. The run is open to all ages and registration is now available at www.runsra.org.

Since its inception, the Juneteenth celebration has grown in number of attendees and has added events and activities. In 2012, more than 8,000 guests gathered at William Land Park to enjoy an array of good eats, learn about African American heritage, and to celebrate freedom.

Activities scheduled for this year include:

• Emancipation Parade
• Juneteenth Talent Show
• 2 Stages of Live Entertainment
• Health/Wellness Pavilion
• Genealogy Seminars
• Educational Theater
• Golf Tournament
• Food/Ware Vendors

The mission of the SCVB is to strengthen the positive awareness of the City and County of Sacramento as a convention and visitor destination to increase revenue and stimulate economic development and growth for the community.