Check out Juneteenth events in Kansas City, Wichita, Parsons, Manhattan, Junction City, Topeka, Atchison, Lawrence, Leavenworth, Hutchinson and Nicodemus.
updated May 31, 2019 / Did we miss an event? Send your Juneteenth event details to press@tcvpub.com.
MANHATTAN, KS
Fri. & Sat., June 14-15
Juneteenth Jazz & Soul Festival
Fri, 6:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Sat, 7 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Free
Larry Norvell Band Shell
1101 Fremont Street; Manhattan, Kansas
Celebrate the 30th year of Juneteenth. Opening the celebration on Friday, is Manhattan’s own JahVelle Rhone & Fly Rythum followed by one of the most sought after musicians and arrangers in the country, saxophonist Donald Hayes.
Saturday night, Amber “Flutienastiness” Underwood will open for two-time Stellar Award winner Kirk Whalum!
Saturday enjoy a 5k run/walk, community unity walk, zumba, yoga, BBQ & Soul Food cook-off, car wash competition, vendor booths, food trucks, and much, much more.
This free, family friendly event is for everyone – tickets are not required!
JUNCTION CITY
Sat., June 8
Juneteenth in the Park
Heritage Park, W. 6th St.
10 a.m.
Motorcycle & Car Show,
Juneteenth Got Talent Show, 3 p.m. and Youth Essay & Artwork Contest
Hosted by Junction City Juneteenth Community Association
KCMO
Sat., June 1
Juneteenth Cultural Parade
11 a.m.
Staging at Grove Park Pool, 18th & Benton. – Kansas City
The parade proceeds down Benton to 18th and then down 18th to the Historic Jazz District, ending at 18th & MLK
Buy Black Expo – A Taste of KC
4-7 p.m.
Linwood YMCA – 3800 E. Linwood Blvd, KCMO
This event is free and open to the public. It will be right after the Juneteenth parade. Come out and taste what KC has to offer! We have black owned vendors and restaurants showcasing their skills! They will have samples to try and plates to buy; from food to drinks.
Sat., June 8
Juneteenth Celebration at The Nelson – Atkins Museum of Art
4525 Oak St, Kansas City, MO
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Preopening Music 10 -10:30 a.m.
Pianist Elijah Thomas
10:30–11:30 a.m.
Opening Program
Kirkwood Hall, Plaza Level, Nelson-Atkins Building
11:45 a.m.–12:15 p.m.
The Kansas City Boys Choir & The Kansas City Girls’ Choir
Noon–1 p.m. & 1:15–2 p.m.
Noguchi Court, Bloch Building
Live Music – Joe Straws Jr. & Caliph Stigler Jr.
12:30-1, 1:30–2 p.m.
American Galleries Rotunda, Nelson-Atkins Building
Story Telling by Buffalo Soldiers
11:45 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Atkins Auditorium
Stinson McClendon Documentary Film, “BOUT IT” and Q&A
12:45–1:30 p.m.
Bloch Lobby
Jazz flautist Amber Underwood 1:45–2:15 p.m
Gallery L3, Bloch Building
Spoken Word: Poets Natasha Ria-El Scari, Aisha Sharif, and Glenn North.
1:45–2:15 p.m.
Atkins Auditorium
Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey
Enjoy a dance performance inspired by the “30 Americans” exhibition choreographed by Tyrone Aiken.
2:15–2:45 p.m.
Kirkwood Hall, Plaza Level, Nelson-Atkins Building
The Charlie Parker Memorial Foundation Jazz Ensemble
2:30–3:15 p.m.
Bloch Lobby
Finale Review
DJ Joe Straws, Nikol Straws, and De Barker perform with dancers for a Kansas City 2-Step showcase.
3:15–4 p.m.
Bloch Lobby
Dance to Live Music by Charlotte Fletcher & Soigné with Lee Langston
10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Bloch Lobby
Artist Demonstrations by:
Gullah Basket Weavers
Anthony High
Clarissa Knighten
Nedra Bonds
Charles “Swavy” Jones
2–3:30 p.m.
Noguchi Court, Bloch Building
Race Project KC
Talk to high school students about the Race Project KC initiative and discuss how the themes relate to Kansas City’s past and present.
ONGOING ACTIVITIES
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Lens 2, Bloch Building
Art Activities Create a paper North Star quilt collage. Add your personal touch to a special Juneteenth coloring page created by local artist Michael Toombs.
Classroom 4, Nelson-Atkins Building
Black Archives of Mid-America in Kansas City: – View display featuring Jerome Berry’s Super Soul Sista comic book.
Bloch Lobby
Kansas City Center for Inclusion and Kansas City Anti-Violence Project Meet & Greet
Classroom 5, Nelson-Atkins Building
Traveling Trunk of Black Inventors & Innovators
Explore African American innovations on display plus a live stream of Alvin Ailey performance in Atkins Auditorium.
Sat., June 15
JuneteenthKC “Fortifying Legacies” Festival
Noon -10 p.m.
18th and Vine Jazz District, KCMO
Enjoy the official Juneteenth KC festival celebration featuring KC’s best local live entertainment while enjoying free activities and fun for the entire family!!
Over 75 local/regional retail vendors and nonprofit vendors premiering their products and services. Vendor deadline is May 31. Contact 816-673-0004 for more details!!
Sat, June 15
Juneteenth KC #RYVS/YOUTHpreneurs of KC
5-– 10 p.m.
Black Archives of MidAmerica
1722 E. 17th Terr.
While you’re enjoying Juneteenth KC, make sure to find your way into the Black Archives to see their exhibit and to check out the products being offered by budding Youthpreneurs of KC.
Wed., June 19
6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.
“Let’s Talk” International Day of Drumming and Healing
Unity Temple on the Plaza, 707 W. 47th, KCMO
$10 donation
Performance will utilize the music from areas of West Africa. Everyone welcome.
ATCHISON
Sat., June 8 – Sun., June 9
14th Annual Atchison Juneteenth Celebration
Free food, music and activities for everyone. Features family activities, games, food, Atchison African‑American History tours, speakers and much more. Featuring blues singer Tonya Chereese and the Total Package Band of KC on June 8 – LFM Park – 1101 N7 Street, Atchison, KS.
LEAVENWORTH
Fri., June 21 – Sun., June 23
Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club Retrace
How would you like to walk the grounds that the Buffalo Soldiers did back in 1866? Come on out and join us for a fun filled weekend with plenty of food, libations, music and history of our beloved Buffalo Soldiers. You don’t want to miss this event to raise scholarship money. 3 years ago we have over 200 motorcycles on the charity ride.
Fri night is meet and greet with food and music at Home2 Suites by Hilton, 250 Delaware St, Leavenworth. Sat the base of operations will be the Heritage Center, 109 Delaware St., Leavenworth, with music, food, raffle and tracing the Buffalo Soldiers’ trails. https://www.facebook.com/events/309415656429489/
HUTCHINSON
Past, Present and Future: The African-American Community in Reno Co.
Ongoing Exhibit
This exhibit features artifacts, photos and oral histories some of the pioneering families and leaders of the African American community in Hutchinson, Kansas.
Reno County Museum – 100 S. Walnut, Hutchinson – https://www.renocomuseum.org/images.php?catid=19&cid=4
PARSONS
Fri., June 21 – Sat., June 22
Juneteenth 2019 – Hustle and Motivate
Community Event – Food, Music, Family, Fun for the Kids
Sponsored by PK Bar and Grill
Glenwood Park – 21st St. and Southern Ave., Parsons
LAWRENCE
Sat., June 22
Lawrence’s Annual Juneteenth Celebration
12-8 p.m.
Free music, DJ, food, arts, crafts, stories and more. Moderator is TV sportscaster Michael Coleman, a Lawrence native now based in Texas – Holcom Park Rec Center – 2700 W 27th St., Lawrence, KS.
TOPEKA
Mon., June 3
Juneteenth Unity Walk & Flag Raising.
11:35 a.m.
Kansas State Capitol
300 SW 10th (South Lawn)
Topeka will join Juneteenth committees across the country in raising their Juneteenth Celebration flag at noon. This special unified commemoration is being held as part of the National 400 Years of Slavery recognition. A short program will help make this a memorable event.
Sat., June 15
6th Annual Topeka Family and Friends Juneteenth Celebration
12 to 8 p.m.
Hillcrest Community Center
1800 SE 21st
Come celebrate Juneteenth in Topeka with a day of fun and cultural activities. The emcees for the day will be Eugene Williams executive director of KTWU and WIBW multimedia journalist Deneisha Richards. History of Juneteenth will be given by genealogy librarian Sherry Camp and there will be live music entertainment, presentations, spoken-word, vendors, raffles, food trucks, KidZone and more.
WICHITA
Sat., June 1 – Wed., Aug. 21
Sorting Out Race – new exhibit at The Kansas African-American Museum
Sorting Out Race arose out of a desire to divert artifacts with racial content from thrift stores to an exhibit that would generate a healthy community conversation about racial stereotypes past and present in order to heighten awareness of our continuing struggles with race. https://www.tkaamuseum.org/
Sat., June 14 – Sat., June 22
Juneteenth ICT 2019
Juneteenth ICT armbands are available for $5 for ages 8 and older and $3 for ages 7 and under. Purchase your armbands at United Vybez Cultural & More, T.O.P.S Steaks and Hoagies, WSU Office of Diversity and Inclusion.
Armbands serve as entry to all events for the week except the Wichita Natural Hair Expo.
Fri., June 14 – Sun., June 16
Days of Service Painting the Antoine Carr Basketball Court
McAdam’s Park, 1329 E 16th St N
9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sponsored by Sherwin Williams
Sat, June 15
4th Annual Wichita Natural Hair Expo
12 – 5 p.m.
Wichita State University Eugene Hughes Metroplex, 5015 E.29th St. N.
Tickets: $5 – $40 @ www.wnhexpo.com
The Wichita Natural Hair Expo is the ultimate natural hair affair in central Kansas! The WNHE aims to educate, inspire, and empower all who seek to wear their hair in its natural textured state. The 4th Annual Wichita Natural Hair Expo will feature a variety of workshops focused on hair care, self-love, fitness and other topics. In addition to workshops, there will be live demonstrations, exhibitors, giveaways, entertainment and lots more!
Sun., June 16
Father’s Day Recognition
2 p.m.
Nominate fathers for recognition at the following link https://wichitastate.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0MybO6V697UU7at. The top ten men will be recognized at the program. This event is invite only. Sponsored by The Center
Wed., June 19
Redefining Blackness
6 p.m.
CAC Theater, Wichita State Univ.
Evening of spoken word, drumming circles, Juneteenth History told by the African American Council of Elders Wichita/SouthCentral Kansas.
7:15 pm
Juneteenth Keynote Speaker Pastor Dr. Michael W. Waters.
In partnership with the 400 Years of African American History Commission.
Fri., June 21
Sounds of Juneteenth ICT
6 – 9 p.m.
McAdams Park, 1329 E 16th St.
Featuring musical guests, spoken word, food court and beer garden. (Bring your lawn chairs).
Sat., June 22
Parade and Park Celebration
10 a.m.
Parade starts @17th & Hillside and goes down 17th to McAdams Park
Sponsored by Wichita State University Office of Diversity and Inclusion
10 a.m.
Juneteenth ICT Senior Breakfast
McAdams Gym
Sponsored by Westar Energy
Park Celebration
11 a.m.
Several entertainment acts throughout the day, vendors, food, fun, beer garden and DJ Richy on the 1’s and 2’s all day!
Main Stage Lineup
11:00am – Park Opens
11:30 – Noon – Road to Hautness
Noon – 1:00pm – Showtime at R-Pollo
1:00pm – 1:30pm – Sounds of DJ Richy
1:30pm – 2:00pm – Independent Artists
2:00pm – 3:00pm – Sounds of DJ Richy & Juneteenth ICT Contests
3:00pm – 4:00pm – Gospel Hour featuring Roy Moye III
4:00pm – 5:00pm – Sounds of DJ Richy
5:00pm – 6:00pm – Greek Showcase
6:00pm – 6:30pm – Midwest ConneXion
6:30pm – 7:30pm – Kevin Harrison & Friends
7:30pm – 8:15pm – Natasha Houston
Juneteenth Kid’s Corner
Sponsored by Wichita Public Schools USD 259
Kid’s Corner Lineup
Noon – 1:00pm – Storytime Village
Noon – 3:00pm – Stem Circuit Challenge
1:00pm – 1:30pm – Pitch on the fly
1:30pm – 3:30pm – Griots Drumming Circle & Storytime
2:30pm – 4:30pm – Urban Gardening
Location: McAdams Park Rec. Center Gym (1329 E 16th St N, Wichita, KS 67214)
Food Court sponsored by The Wichita Regional Chamber and W/ A Community of Young Professional’s
Sat., June 22
Bettie Clark Johnson Tribute Awards
6 p.m.
Honoring Cherrie Dennis Baldon, Josephine Brown, Bishop Mark L. Gilkey, Cameo Profit and Towanda Profit
Presented by Sunflower Chapter of Gospel Music Workshop of America
Mt Olive Tabernacle of Praise – Church of God in Christ, 909 N St Paul, Wichita
Mon., June 24 and Mon., July 22
Kansas African American History Trail – Day Trip
Visit sites on the The Kansas African American Museum’s history trail while in the comfort of an air-conditioned bus. Different sites will be visited on each trip. More info here https://www.tkaamuseum.org/
NICODEMUS
July 25-28
141st Homecoming Emancipation Celebration
Pancake Feed, 5K Run, Tours, Family Research, Children’s Activities, Baseball, Talent Show, Gospel Extravaganza, Dance + MORE
More info here http://www.nicodemushomecoming.org/