The good news about virtual Juneteenth is that you can enjoy events from all over the country without leaving your home.
JUST ADDED:
Wichita – Tuesday, June 16 – Convoy of Hope JuneteenthICT Edition 1 to 4 pm, McAdams Park 1329 E 16th St N. sponsored by Koch Industries. Free food boxes while supplies last. This is a drive-up service so you don’t have to get out of your car. This event is working on a first-come, first-serve basis. The Convoy of Hope has set a goal to serve around 1000+ families each. Program contact Stacie Cathcart scathcart@blcwichita.com. If you are interested in volunteering show up at 12:30 pm. Volunteers needed 1 to 4 pm. Please wear a mask and practice social distancing. You do not have to stay the full time.
Wichita – Saturday, June 20 – Juneteenth Run/Walk – 7 a.m. at McAdams Park. There is no registration. Program details in the schedule of events at coreofwichita.org/Juneteenth-ict.
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Juneteenth celebrations usually include parades, live music, art and much more, but this year’s celebrations will look very different. Due to the pandemic, celebrations in the Kansas cities of Manhattan, Salina and Junction City canceled their usual Juneteenth events. Kansas City, Wichita and Topeka adapted to regulations and have created events that will allow the community to celebrate safely.
Makeda Peterson, program director of Juneteenth-KC said they really had to think out of the box to make Juneteenth still happen because she knew how much families in Kansas City look forward to the events.
Most Juneteenth-KC events will take place on Zoom and can be accessed from the Juneteenth-KC website. The only live events are the Mobile Pantry giveaways and COVID-19 testing. Virtual Juneteenth-KC events include daily devotional, exercise segments, a variety of workshops, including a workshop with Mayor Quinton Lucas and even a two-step workshop.
Scheduled events are on Saturdays – June 13, 20, 27 – and Mondays – June 15, 22 and 29. Sat., June 20 has the largest schedule, with events running from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Juneteenth-KC maintains a college and career resource portal on their website all year round. For Juneteenth, they scheduled live college talks with representatives from HBCUs. The series continues each Saturday in June with Live Talks with representatives from the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff, Howard, Morehouse College, FAMU, Xavier, Langston, Spelman, Tuskegee, and Huston-Tillotson.
For the complete lineup of events, go online to www.juneteenth-kc.com.
Wichita’s Juneteenth will also be largely virtual and will stream live on the Juneteenth ICT Facebook page from Sat., June 13 through Sat., Jun 20. The only in-person event is the drive-up-only Books and Breakfast to Go (June 13, 10 a.m. to noon at the St. Paul AME Church). Breakfast to go will be available while supplies last. The Wichita Griots storytellers will perform at 10 a.m.
There’s a great mix of workshops and fun and entertaining events. A couple of standout events include: The Convoy of Hope Food giveaway and free COVID-19 testing on Thurs., June 18, 2-4 p.m. at McAdams Park and a virtual Sounds of Juneteenth event on Fri, June 19, 6 to 8 p.m. The event will feature spoken work, and musical guest DJ Domo.
More information on the Wichita Juneteenth events go to: www.coreofwichita.org/juneteenth-ict. The events can be watched on Facebook.com/juneteenthICT.
Topeka’s Juneteenth Celebration Expanded
Topeka’s Juneteenth committee is hosting a car caravan starting at noon, on Sat., June 20, beginning at the Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site. There will be a prize for the best decorated car, but participants will need to stay in their vehicles during the caravan.
TOPEKA JUST ADDED:
Topeka has celebrated Juneteenth for many years. Due to COVID-19 the in-person Topeka Family and Friends Juneteenth Celebration that usually draws more than 1,000 people, has been canceled. However, there will be many opportunities to celebrate both online and in smaller groups.
Juneteenth Organizers in Wichita and KC Delevering Pandemic Proof Celebrations
Several virtual activities have been planned inconjunction with the Topeka Public Library.
Juneteenth Videos from Community Members | June 15-20, 2020
Watch video clips of community members answering Juneteenth questions.
Juneteenth Caravan | June 19, 2020 | Noon-1pm
Decorate your car and join the Juneteenth Caravan from the Brown vs Board National Historic Site to Hillcrest Community Center.
Issues in the Black Community Then and Now | June 19, 2020 | 5:30-7pm
Join the library, in conjunction with AARP, Topeka Family and Friends Juneteenth Celebration Committee and Greater Topeka Partnership for a Facebook Live Community Conversation.
Juneteenth Trivia Contest | June 15-21 | Complete the 50 questions quiz online or pick up a printed entry form at the library.
Jazzlyn’s Juneteenth Picks:
Fri., June 19, 6 – 8 p.m. Sounds of Juneteenth ICT An evening of spoken word, DJ Domo, and musical guests. www.Facebook.com/JuneteenthICT.
Sat., June 20, 1:45 – 2:45 p.m. Two-Step Therapy:101, hosted by Carissa and DuRag. www.juneteenth-kc.com.