By Avi Stein
Washington State first recognized Juneteenth as a holiday in Washington state in 2007. In 2022, President Joe Biden established Juneteenth as a new federal holiday, and Governor Inslee designated June 19th as a paid day off for Washington state workers. At WSU Everett, we are excited to celebrate the second year of the first new federal holiday since Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 1983!
Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. During the American Civil War, in 1863, President Abraham Lincoln enacted the Emancipation Proclamation, which declared freedom to millions of enslaved people living in the Confederate States. This marked a pivotal moment in the lives of many. However, two years later, on June 19th, 1865, the Union Soldiers came to Galveston, Texas, and the last enslaved African Americans finally learned they were free.
Below are some of the events recognizing the Juneteenth holiday in Snohomish County. Participate in the festivities and join the celebration. We can’t wait to see you there!
Juneteenth Kickoff – June 10th, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
At Asbery Field 449-499 Alder Ave, Marysville, WA
NAACP Snohomish County 2023 Juneteenth Community Celebration – June 17th, 11 am – 3 p.m.
At Willis D. Tucker Park
6705 Puget Park Dr, Snohomish, WA
naacp-snoco.org
Songs of Black Folk 2023 – June 18th, 7 p.m.
“Music of Resistance & Hope”
Paramount Theater Seattle
www.songsofblackfolk.org
Juneteenth event – June 19th, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
At Ceder Valley Community School
19200 56th Ave W Lynnwood, Wa
Black Power/Black Pride Juneteenth – Saturday, June 10th – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Presented by Change the Narrative and Pitch Black Entertainment
changethenarrativegf.org/
Marysville, WA
Juneteenth Freedom Day – Monday, June 19th / 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Sponsored by the town of Index
Index WA, Doolittle Pioneer Park
