KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — The world is recognizing the 155th anniversary of Juneteenth Celebration Day, which commemorates the day the last African American slaves were notified of their freedom on June 19th of 1865.
Several celebrations, both virtually and in-person, are taking place in the Kalamazoo area on Friday.
A family-friendly event for all ages will take place in downtown Kalamazoo on South Rose Street from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. Friday.
Discover Kalamazoo’s Dana Wagner says the day will be full of music, arts and other activities, including the painting of the Black Lives Matter mural on South Rose Street. “The whole community is invited to join in for that celebration downtown,” Wagner said.
From a traffic standpoint, Rose Street between South Street and Lovell Street will be closed from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. as the mural is being painted.
Sidewalks will remain open for pedestrians and bicyclists.
A Juneteenth block party will also take place from 3 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. Friday at the surrounding parking lots behind the Vine Neighborhood Association’s headquarters, off of South Westnedge Avenue. This event will also feature a list of artists and musicians that celebrate black lives.
“We’re just looking to have a great time in celebration of Juneteenth,” Kalamazoo Public Schools Jermaine Jackson stated on WKZO.
Wagner adds that there’s also an opportunity to support some black-owned businesses at Culture Customs LLC in the Oakwood Plaza off of Whites Road. Their shopping event takes place from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday.
For those looking to celebrate from home, the Kalamazoo Valley Museum along with Soul Artistry LLC with hold their annual “Celebration of Freedom” virtually on their Facebook pages from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Friday. The digital event will feature live music, poetry, dance, visual arts, history, and other performances with some of Kalamazoo’s most prominent black creative artists
In state news, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed a proclamation marking Juneteenth Celebration Day. She is also encouraging all Michiganders to participate in Juneteenth celebrations on Friday and throughout the weekend. “Juneteenth is a crucial day in our nation’s history to remember how far we have come and recognize how far we still have to go,” Whitmer said.
