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07-09-2025 9:51 am • PDX and SEA Weather
MLK Breakfast
Juneteenth is a young federal holiday, but the Black day of independence has been observed since June 19, 1865. That was the date enslaved people in Galveston, Tex. finally received word their freedom had been codified under the Emancipation Proclamation two years earlier.
Avel Gordly, Oregon’s first Black woman senator, led the charge to make Juneteenth a statewide holiday in 2001. Her efforts came to fruition in 2021 and Juneteenth was made a national holiday in 2022, but as you’ll see, many local celebrations have been in full swing for much longer, creating and expanding new Juneteenth traditions. Local groups and organizations offer opportunities for community through dance, food, film, conversation and plenty of live music.
VANCOUVER JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION: The fourth annual Juneteenth Freedom Celebration in Vancouver features live musical performances by headliners Wamba and Jujuba. There will be art displays, more than 60 local vendors, an audio-guided historical art display, kids’ activities and more. Esther Short Park, 605 Esther St Vancouver, WA
JUNETEENTH AT ALLEN TEMPLE CME CHURCH: This community-wide celebration will bring together churches, community members and civic leaders. Keynote speaker Rev. Allison Cannady-Smith, pastor of Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, will lead a program of music, prayer and time for fellowship and reflection. All are invited. Allen Temple CME Church, 4236 NE 8th Ave.
RIDE & RHYTHM: AfroVillage PDX and Play Grow Learn are bringing culture, community and cowboy energy for this 8 Seconds Black Rodeo event, featuring food vendors, music and history in motion. Free. 1701 N Larrabee Ave.
8 SECONDS JUNETEENTH RODEO: Celebrate the legacy of Black cowboys, who historians estimate represented 1 in 4 cowboys on the Western front in the 19th century. Now in its third year, the rodeo is bigger than ever, featuring elite-level rodeo competitions in bull riding, bareback bronco riding, barrel racing and mutton bustin’ (for kids). Black rodeo stars compete for a $60,000 purse, and among them are rising stars to watch: MMA fighter and crowd favorite bull rider Tank Adams, Au'vion Horton, and the 11- and 13-year-old sisters, the Bluebird Riders. The rodeo will be hosted by actress and comedian X Mayo. Veterans Memorial Coliseum, 300 N Ramsay Way. Tickets and more info: https://8secondsrodeo.com. Previous coverage: https://www.theskanner.com/news/northwest/34604-black-rodeo-comes-to-town.
JUNETEENTH: INSPIRATIONS THROUGH POETRY OPEN MIC: Black Cultural Library Advocates and the Hollywood Library host an inclusive, all-ages, all-abilities open mic. All are invited to perform original work or read a piece from a favorite poet. To register: https://events.multcolib.org/event/13777247®istration=true
JUNETEENTH WITH DON’T SHOOT PDX: Don’t Shoot PDX invites all ages to add their artwork to a Juneteenth banner, screenprint a tote bag to take home and build community. Free. PNCA, 511 NW Broadway
FREEDOM CELEBRATION AT THE MESO MAKERS MARKET: MESO (Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon) hosts a family-friendly Juneteenth event with a curated marketplace of local vendors, wine tastings with Stoney Wines, food and a live performance by Tahirah Memory. MESO Makers Market, 376 NE Sumner St. More info: https://www.mesopdx.org/events.
THE MIRACLES CLUB JUNETEENTH FREEDOM DAY CELEBRATION: Culturally specific recovery center hosts an all-ages Juneteenth celebration with BBQ, live music, guest speakers, vendors and kids' activities. The Miracles Club, 4200 NE MLK Jr. Blvd.
BLACK LIBERATION RIDE: The annual kid-friendly community bike ride for Black and Brown Portlanders is back for its tenth year. Cyclists will follow a loop in celebration of Juneteenth with an inclusive, no drop ride. Meet at Irving Park, 707 NE Fremont St.
BLACK DRAG PDX: Presented by RACE TALKS: Uniting to Break the Chains of Racism, the fourth annual History of Black Drag in Portland is an all-ages, intersectional celebration of Juneteenth and Pride Month. An all-star panel of local drag queens discuss the history of Black drag in Portland, followed by a showcase of contemporary drag performances. Co-hosted by performers Lawanda Jackson and Isaiah Esquire. All ages welcome. Tickets $28; children 12 and under are free but must be accompanied by an adult. McMenamins Kennedy School Theater, 5736 NE 33rd Ave. More info: https://racetalkspdx.com/blackdragpdx.
POWER OF PLACE ROADSHOW: The Portland Art Museum presents a Juneteenth screening of two locally produced short films: Dear Young Black Portland and Where We Goin: The Power of Place, followed by conversations with the filmmakers. $15. PAM CUT’s Tomorrow Theater, 3530 SE Division St. More info: https://portlandartmuseum.org/event/power-of-place-juneteenth-event.
BLACK FAMILY STORYTIME: JUNETEENTH: The African and African American experience comes alive for children from birth to age 6 and their families, with a Juneteenth event with books, stories, songs and movement activities in a positive and affirming environment. North Portland Library, 512 N Killingsworth St.
JUNETEENTH OREGON COMMUNITY PARADE AND FESTIVAL: The 53rd Annual Juneteenth Oregon celebration kicks off with the Clara Peoples Freedom Trail Parade, in honor of the woman who brought Juneteenth to Oregon, with Grand Marshal Pastor Dennis Payne II and First Lady Debra Ingram-Payne II. The PDX Jazz-produced festival follows, featuring musical artists Tahirah Memory, Kirk Green, Vursatyl and Bridge City Soul, as well as food vendors, a beer and wine garden, raffles and a kids' play area. Parade begins 11 a.m. at King School, and the festival will take place in Lilis Albina park from 12-7pm. Lilis Albina Park, N Flint Avenue and Russell Street.
OREGON CITY JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION: The End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center hosts a celebration with music and events including opening ceremony, "Righting Our History: A Panel Discussion Celebrating Oregon Black Authors," poetry reading by Emmett Wheatfall and music by DJ Avelanche. 1726 Washington St., Oregon City.
JUNETEENTH: BLACK SUPERHEROES CRAFT FAIR: Black Superheroes make the world a better place for everyone, so the Hillsdale Library hosts an afternoon of making buttons, decorating capes and masks. Participants are encouraged to wear their superhero costume for crafting. There will also be a laser maze and superhero photo booth. Hillsdale Library, 1525 Sunset Blvd.
ANNUAL JUNETEENTH SKATE PARTY: NAAM invites the community to come dance, skate, and celebrate freedom with this beloved Juneteenth tradition, all about movement, connection and honoring the legacy of liberation through celebration. Attendees will enjoy skates for rent, a variety of food truck vendors, music, and more. Free. All are welcome. Judkins Park, 2150 South Norman Street, Seattle
SEATTLE JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION: Africatown Community Land Trust King County Equity Now presents the city’s longest standing Juneteenth gathering, a continuation of the decades-long annual tradition begun by the late DeCharlene Williams in 1983. Join the legacy and commemorate Black freedom and Central District history through food, entertainment and community unity while strategizing how to continue to move forward. Jimi Hendrix Park, 2400 S Massachusetts St, Seattle
9TH ANNUAL JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION 2024: Join It Takes a Village to celebrate Juneteenth with soul food, arts and crafts, live entertainment, community resources, a vendor market and a food bank. This event is free and open to all ages. Othello Playground, 4351 S Othello St, Seattle
