LEXINGTON, Ky. — Lexington plans to have several days and events to celebrate Juneteenth this year. June 19 was designated a federal holiday in 2021 and it commemorates the end of slavery in the United States.

What You Need To Know

  • Juneteenth is a federally-recognized holiday

  • Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in the United States

  • It became a federal holiday in 2021

  • Lexington is planning several events to commemorate the day

Beginning on June 10, Main Street in Lexington will be adorned with Juneteenth flags. Banners will hang along the Legacy Trail, from Isaac Murphy Memorial Art Garden to the North Lexington YMCA.

Other events planned for the holiday in Lexington include:

  • 19th Annual Juneteenth Jubilee, 7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m., June 15, African Cemetery No. 2, 419 East 7th St.: Lexington’s oldest Juneteenth celebration

  • Soulteenth Fest, noon-6:00 p.m., June 15, Moondance Amphitheater, 1152 Monarch St.: Celebrates Black liberation through music, art, agriculture and food.

  • Juneteenth Freedom Day, 2:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m., June 16, Douglass Park, 726 Georgetown St.: A community celebration to bring awareness through food, music and activities for children.

  • “A Sense of Place”, 11:00 a.m., June 19, Cadentown Missionary Baptist Church, 2950 Cadentown Road: Juneteenth celebration in a historic Black hamlet.

  • Juneteenth Independence Day Celebration, doors open 6:00 p.m., June 19, Lyric Theatre and Cultural Arts Center, 300 E. Third St.: A celebration of African American independence with live performances including jazz, hip-hop, line-dancing, African drumming, spoken word and many other musical forms of expression.

  • Juneteenth Celebration presented by U.S. Freedmen Coalition, 11:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m., June 22, Charles Young Park, 215 Midland Ave.: Entertainment, food, information booths, vendors and community fellowship 

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