Celebrate Juneteenth in Albany

The main purpose behind this celebration is to bring the community together and take the afternoon to honor the resilience of those who fought for their freedom and celebrate the ongoing journey towards equality! Admission is free, making this a great opportunity to celebrate Juneteenth with your family and friends! It will take place on Saturday, June 20, from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Albany Civic Center. The stage program kicks off at 1:30 p.m. with opening remarks from Albany Mayor Bo Dorough and Dougherty County Commission Chairman Lorenzo Heard. Other County Commissioners will also offer brief remarks before a Juneteenth presentation by Angela Jones. Throughout the day, there will be a variety of local vendors, bounce houses, family-friendly activities and Bingo with Ms. Tee to check out! There will also be a plethora of live entertainment from the Freedom Singers, the Soulful Soundz Band and the Compilation Band. As you listen to the live tunes, don’t forget to stop by one of the tasty on-site food trucks to fuel up for an unforgettable evening. Children 17 and under will receive a food ticket that can be redeemed at participating food trucks for a free meal, while supplies last.

If you aren’t already familiar with The Freedom Singers, this legendary group was formed in 1962 by Bernice Johnson Reagon, Cordell Reagon, Charles Nesbett, and Rutha Mae Harris at Albany State College. The purpose behind The Freedom Singers was to raise funds and awareness for the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee. Their iconic sound combined black Baptist a cappella church singing with popular music at the time to tell the story of the Civil Rights Movement. One of their most famous performances was “We Shall Not Be Moved,” which they sang during the March on Washington in 1963. The last original member, Rutha Mae Harris, continues to lead performances in Albany today to carry on that impactful legacy. For those who haven’t had the honor to hear The Freedom Singers perform live, you won’t want to miss this incredible opportunity!

Albany has plenty of opportunities to enjoy Juneteenth with your friends and family this year so you can make the most of the holiday! The Albany Museum of Art will be hosting its 2nd annual Soul & Spirit: A Juneteenth Evening on Thursday, June 18. This event will take place from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and is designed for guests 21 and older. Key highlights include a Black History trivia contest, local vendors, a food tasting and various exhibitions that celebrate African American culture. Tickets can be purchased in advance for this vibrant event!

Keep the energy going on the following day with the Albany Area Arts Council. They’ll be hosting a special We Be the Blues Rewind Documentary Premiere on Friday, June 19, at 7:00 p.m. This will be the first public viewing of a short documentary that’s inspired by the lives, memories, histories, and struggles of Black families from Albany and Southwest Georgia. What began as a We Be the Blues: Songs from the Soil soundtrack turned into an incredible documentary that follows the inspirational stories of people and their communities. Following the screening, there will be a community discussion and a short open mic experience to continue the conversation through poetry and music. There will also be light refreshments and beverages available for patrons to enjoy throughout the evening.

Make this Juneteenth truly memorable with your loved ones by checking out the Juneteenth Freedom Day Celebration in Albany along with other incredible local events! It’s a fantastic opportunity to commemorate this important holiday with the entire community and celebrate the future. Whether you’re a local or visiting for the weekend, there are a ton of unique opportunities to commemorate Juneteenth.