Black Americans have celebrated Juneteenth since the 1860s, but more events have sprung up around Maine and the rest of the nation since President Joe Biden signed legislation in 2021 making it a federal holiday.
The origin of the holiday dates back to June 19, 1865, when Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger marched into Galveston, Texas, to inform the last enslaved African-Americans of their freedom and that the Civil War had ended. More than two years earlier, on Jan. 1, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln had issued the Emancipation Proclamation, declaring that slaves held in the Confederacy would be freed.
Here are some of the Juneteenth events in Maine this year:
Bangor Area
Virtual Open Mic
When: June 19, 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Where: Get tickets here
Description: This virtual open mic is open to people wishing to perform music, dance, poetry and jazz. Audience tickets are $10. Performer tickets are $15.
Ellsworth
Juneteenth Downeast
When: June 19, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Where: Knowlton Park, 11 Shore Road, Ellsworth
Description: The Juneteenth Downeast celebration will showcase Black and Indigenous music, as well as food and activities for all ages.
Lewiston
Juneteenth Block Party
When: June 19, 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Where: Kennedy Park, 120 Park St., Lewiston
Description: The Juneteenth Block Party will be accompanied by a community parade, live performances by MIO and community artists and discussions with Lewiston artists incarcerated at Mountain View Correctional Facility.
Portland
Portland Museum of Art “Poems of Reckoning and Resilience” Reading
When: June 19, 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Portland Museum of Art, 7 Congress Square, Portland
Description: A poetry reading by Nathan McLain and other local poets, hosted by the Maine Writers and Publishers Alliance.
Tate House Museum “Imagining Freedom” Cyanotype Workshop
When: June 19, 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Tate House Museum, 1267 Westbrook St, Portland
Description: An exploration of the history of Tate House, accompanied by a historic art piece portraying the life of a slave. Registration is $30, and slots are limited. Find more information here.
Have an event you want included? Email us at [email protected].
As with other federal holidays, the United States Postal Service will not be delivering mail and offices will be closed on Wednesday. Most banks will also close. Stores like Walmart and Hannaford will be open as usual.
