Auburn, New York, is planning a weekend-long Juneteenth celebration to commemorate Black and African American freedom and achievements June 16 through 18, 2022.
Designated as an official holiday for the first time in New York State on June 19, 2021, Juneteenth celebrates the emancipation of enslaved people in the United States. Its date originates back to June 19, 1865, when African Americans across the state of Texas were made aware of their right to freedom. While President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on September 22, 1862, (also signed by then Secretary of State William H. Seward), it wasn’t until three years later when Wayne County, NY-native Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger delivered ‘General Order No. 3’ that declared all enslaved people in Texas were free.
Since as early as June 19, 1866, in Galveston, TX, “Emancipation Day” has been observed with parades, prayer, singing, readings, picnics, and exhibits of African American history and art. Auburn, NY, is rich in Black history, pride, and culture, and this year’s Juneteenth event aims to be the largest the community has yet to host. See the full weekend schedule below and come share in celebrating the legacy of freedom and continuing toward a brighter future in the place where Harriet Tubman called home.For more information on the Juneteenth Weekend Celebration 2022, visit www.tourcayuga.com/harriettubman/
juneteenth-celebration. Featured Events and Activities Celebrating Juneteenth Include…
Thursday, June 16
Harriet Tubman National Historical Park Walking Tours
The Harriet Tubman National Historical Park will lead free 10 a.m. “Hike Through the History of Tubman” walking tours Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from the NYS Equal Rights Heritage Center. There will be a 2 p.m. “Harriet Tubman’s Home in Freedom” tour at the 180 South Street homesite. Contact kimberly_szewczyk@nps.gov or (315)882-8060 for reservations. National Park Service Rangers will also offer free gallery talks inside the Heritage Center
at 4 p.m.; no registration needed.
Movie on the Lawn: Harriet
Join us on the lawn at the Heritage Center at 8:30 p.m. or dark for a free viewing of the 2019 film Harriet. This film tells the extraordinary tale of Harriet Tubman's escape from slavery and transformation into one of America’s greatest heroes; rated PG-13 and runs 2 hours and 5 minutes.
Friday, June 17
First Annual Juneteenth Gala
Featuring community awards, hors d’oeuvres, open bar, and music by On the Move Entertainment at the Hilton Garden Inn from 7 to 10 p.m. Tickets are $60 each; contact info@entertainmentcny.com
Saturday, June 18
Juneteenth Parade & Celebration
9:15 a.m. “Ride Through History” trolley tours with the National Park Service and Seward House Museum. These free narrated tours will travel by the Seward Mansion, Seward Park, Tubman and Seward gravesites, Tubman’s church, and the historic Black neighborhood. Seating is limited; contact kimberly_szewczyk@nps.gov or (315) 882-
8060 for reservations. (Tours at 9:15 a.m., 10:15 a.m., 11:15 a.m., 12:15 p.m.)
11 a.m. City of Auburn Mayor Quill and Council Members invite all to join in the courtyard of the Heritage Center for the official City of Auburn Juneteenth 2022 Proclamation Ceremony and other special readings.
11:30 a.m. The first annual Juneteenth Parade from the Heritage Center and City Hall down the Historic South Street Area Historic District to Booker T. Washington Community Center. Interested parade participants contact tgilliam@caphelps.org for an application; registration deadline is May 8.
12 to 4:30 p.m. Booker T. Washington Community Center will host an afternoon Juneteenth Celebration with food, music, more than 30 vendors, and kid-friendly activities like an inflatable obstacle course, face painting, basketball shootout, slime station, and indoor film showing, plus much more. Live entertainment lineup features:
12 & 4 p.m. On the Move Mobile DJ
12:30 p.m. Performances by local youth talent
1 p.m. Voices of Faith
1:30 pm. Perform 4 Purpose
2:30 p.m. Brownskin Band
5 to 10 p.m. The Juneteenth weekend celebration will end with a night of live music, food, vendors, and drinks from Next Chapter Brewpub in downtown Auburn. Emceed by Booker T. Washington Community Center Board Member Brian Muldrow, the evening lineup begins with classic R&B group U.A.D. (5 p.m., showmobile); soul/comedy duo SingTrece & Kenneth McLaurin (6:30 p.m., Heritage Center courtyard); and SAMMY Hall of Fame jazz legend Ronnie Leigh will close the 2022 event (8 p.m., showmobile). Interested vendors contact courtney@auburndowntown.org for an application; registration deadline is May 20.
Support for the Juneteenth weekend celebration is provided by the City of Auburn, Booker T. Washington
Community Center, Harriet Tubman National Historical Park, Auburn Downtown BID, NYS Equal Rights Heritage Center, Cayuga County Office of Tourism, Seward House Museum, and Perform 4 Purpose.
This community celebration was made possible by the collaboration and partnership of the following diverse group of organizations, businesses, and individuals: City of Auburn; Booker T. Washington Community Center; Auburn Downtown BID; Harriet Tubman Memorial AME Zion Church; Harriet Tubman National Historical Park; Harriet Tubman Center for Justice and Peace; NACCP of Cayuga County; Divine Coverings, LLC; The Muldrow Group; Harriet Tubman Boosters; Cayuga Action Programs Cayuga/Seneca; D+R Landscaping and Rubbish Removal; Cayuga County Office of Tourism; NYS Equal Rights Heritage Center; and City of Auburn Historic & Cultural Sites Commission.
