Here are 6 opportunities to celebrate Juneteenth in Anchorage

Juneteenth will officially be recognized Wednesday, but the events commemorating the holiday in Anchorage — including celebrations of Black excellence and culture, and opportunities for education, community gathering and reflection — are scheduled to start over the weekend and continue into the following weekend.

Juneteenth commemorates the day that the last slaves in the Confederacy were informed of their freedom following the Emancipation Proclamation on June 19, 1865. Long celebrated by Black Americans, Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021. Last year, the Anchorage Assembly made Juneteenth an official city holiday, and the Alaska Legislature this year passed a bill to designate Juneteenth as a state holiday. The legislation now heads to the desk of Gov. Mike Dunleavy.

Here are six opportunities to celebrate Juneteenth in Anchorage.

Citywide Celebration, Day 1: Noon-6 p.m. Saturday, Delaney Park Strip, Ninth Avenue and E Street

Community and culture is the theme of the first day of the citywide celebration. At noon, the Citywide Parade will feature Juneteenth Anchorage, the Alaska Black Caucus, NAACP Anchorage and more. Starting at 1 p.m. there will be event speakers, live entertainment, vendors, bounce houses, a dance competition, a fashion show, a health fair, a legal clinic and education resources.

Citywide Celebration, Day 2: 1-6 p.m. Sunday, Delaney Park Strip, Ninth Avenue and E Street

Faith and family is the theme on Day 2. On tap for Sunday starting at 1 p.m. will be event speakers, interfaith programming, a Father’s Day prayer, the Citywide Community Choir, vendors, bounce houses, the Miss Juneteenth Pageant, a fashion show and praise dancing.

Make it Monday: 11:30 a.m. Monday, Dena’ina Civic & Convention Center third floor, 600 W. Seventh Ave.

The Anchorage Chamber is partnering with the Alaska Black Caucus for this program that includes live entertainment, presentations and vendors. Doors open at 11 a.m. with lunch and networking scheduled for 11:30 a.m. This Celebrating Freedom fundraiser will also acknowledge the Ebony Aurora Award recipients. General admission with lunch is $30 and group rates are available.

Juneteenth Closing Ceremony: 6 p.m. Wednesday, UAA Fine Arts Building, 3700 Alumni Drive

Sponsored by the Anchorage NAACP, this event will celebrate the Alaska Legislature voting to designate Juneteenth as a state holiday in Alaska. The Trendy Eats 907 food truck will be on site from 4-6 p.m.

JBER Juneteenth Sneaker Ball: 6 p.m. Saturday, June 22, Warrior Zone Community Center, 655 Richardson Drive

This celebration featuring music, dancing and sneaker fashion invites you to wear your fanciest outfit with your freshest pair of sneakers. Tickets are $35.

Wakanda Ball: 7 p.m. Saturday, June 22, UAA Student Union, 2921 Spirit Way

The Alaska Black Business Directory, Umoja Coworking & Incubator and Juneteenth Anchorage are collaborating on this event with partial proceeds benefiting the African American Mobile Classroom. It will feature food catered by Anchorage’s Black-owned establishments, Black business and organization vendors, and speakers and entertainment. Tickets are $75 with table options for larger groups available.

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