2008
LANSING
June 19, 20, 21, 2008 - Lansing Juneteenth Committee/PEERS - Sat. June 7th , 2-3pm - The Capitol Area District Library (CADL downtown, Lansing) co-hosts Juneteenth Activity Day for Youth & Children.  Visit the Juneteenth Window displays at the library before leaving.

Thursday, June 19th-5:30 pm State Capitol Kick-Off Opening Ceremony at the State Capitol Building. The keynote speaker is the Rev. Dr. Jesse L. Douglas a pastor in the CME Church of 50 years, who followed Dr. King as President of the Montgomery Improvement Association, marched side by side with him in many of the campaigns in the south, one of the earliest board members of SCLC. Dr. Douglas is also an outstanding revival preacher, a gifted singer, and a scholar.

Friday, June 20th 3pm-dusk -Juneteenth Festival at St. Joseph Park, Lansing at St. Joseph & Heather Streets). Come and join us for the baseball game, pre-game musical entertainment, food and merchant venders.

Sat. June 21st from 11:00am to dusk, join us for a grand opening with our Peace Walk into St. Joseph Park at 11:00 am followed by Youth & Children at the Main Stage for activities. musical entertainment of Gospel Rap, traditiona and contemporary gospel, Jazz and blues. Food and merchant venders, Health Fair.  Keynote speaker at 2pm you are invited to hear the Rev. Walter Gibson, of Pilgrim Baptist Church, Lansing, MI.  Rev. Gibson has already distinguished himself with commitment and service to the Lansing area as one of our newest and brightest Pastors and Community Leadership.  Special musical guest entertainer, Jazz musician Tim Cunningham will perform at 4-6pm.  COME AND CELEBRATE JUNETEETN.
 
BATTLE CREEK
June 19, 20, 21, 2008 - BATTLE CREEK MICHIGAN CELEBRATIONS JUNETEENTH 2008
The Juneteenth 2008 Celebrations Committee would like to cordially invite the entire community to the 6th Annual Juneteenth Celebration on Saturday, June 21, 2008 at Claude Evans Park, located on N. Washington Avenue.  The theme this year is “A Celebration of Freedom....Reaching Forward and Pulling Together”  This is reflective of the committee’s weekly strategic planning sessions held each week at the BC Urban League Building and the Juneteenth motto for our community.

Juneteenth 2008 will kick-off with a Community-Wide Parade beginning at 11:00 am at McCamly Park (corner of Michigan and Washington), descending to Claude Evans Park where the 2008 JUNETEENTH program ceremony and live entertainment will begin.  The Juneteenth 2008 Proclamation will be read by the Mayor  followed by dynamic speakers, singers, musicians, dancers, poets, and other area artist will perform on stage. The  BC Urban League Young Professionals we will serve free hot dogs, chips and red pop to the public and free ice cream will be given to the children. (limited supply)  Ethnic food vendors, retail vendors will be arrayed throughout the park along with a special “Kid’s Korner” for the children.  Local community organizations will have information booths on self improvement, self education, empowerment and a voters registration drive will take place.  JUNETEENTH 2008 also will offer its first “Juneteenth Essay Contest” open to area students and the winners will be announced on that day.

Juneteenth is observed to commemorate the ending of slavery in the United States.  It was on June 19, 1865, some 250,000 slaves in Texas  (who didn't know they were free) were granted freedom 2 1/2 years after the Emancipation Proclamation.  The announcement was met with great celebration and jubilations among the former slaves.  Battle Creek Juneteenth celebrations began in 2003 initiated through the Battle Creek Branch of the NAACP.    In 2005 the State of Michigan proclaimed the 3rd Saturday in June, as JUNETEENTH National Freedom Day in Michigan, celebrated as a State Holiday

Anyone who wishes to become a volunteer for the event contact Juneteenth Co-Chair Samuel Gray at 269-209-0293.  For vendor booth information contact Maxine Small at 269-962-1164.  All food vendors should apply for health permits by June 6th, after this date the fee is surcharged.  Parade information contact Denise Jackson at 313-590-6662.   Live Entertainment contact Jeffery Dinkins at 269-964-7501. Children activities contact Jamesha Quick at 269-598-1432. Juneteenth Essay Contest, contact Dr. Marshall Washington at 965-3931 x 2627. For Corporate Sponsorship or to donate for this event contact Juneteenth Chairperson Michelle Jackson at 269-968-4468.

 
ANN ARBOR
June 21, 2008 - The Ann Arbor Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) will hold its Annual Juneteenth Celebration on June 21, 2008 from noon until 6:00pm at Wheeler Park in Ann Arbor. The event will feature performances by local talent, games, children’s area, vendors and activities for the entire family.
 
DETROIT
JUNE 21, 2008 - NAACP - On Saturday, June 21, 2008, the Michigan NAACP will host its first annual 5K Walk/Run Fitness Challenge initiative "Walk a Mile in My Shoes," in celebration of Juneteenth and to benefit Sickle Cell Anemia.  Registration begins at 7:30am, and the Walk/Run begins promptly at 9:30am.  The event will be held on Detroit Belle Isle Shelter #2 and is free and open to the public.  The celebration includes many activities and fun for the entire family; face painting for the kids, drummers, Rosa Parks Voter Empowerment display, voter registration, a cookout, music, the American Red Cross, the Sickle Cell Disease Association of Michigan with highlights of the Sickle Cell Story and much more.  For more information or to request a pledge/donation form, contact the NAACP office at 313-835-9671. 
Founded in 1909, the NAACP is the nation's oldest and largest civil rights organization.  Its members throughout the United States and the world are the premier advocates for civil rights in their communities, conducting voter mobilization and monitoring equal opportunity in the public and private sectors. Membership is Power! Join today!
 
FLINT
June 19, 2008 - The Juneteenth Committee - Festival Parade and Urban Dodge-ball lead off this years celebration.
 
EAST GRAND RAPIDS
June 21, 2008 - Roc n Doc n Wonderland - Saturday, June 21 2t 3pm Idema EGR, MI
 
 

2007
KALAMZOO
June 17, 2007 - Ujima Enterprises - 8th annual Juneteenth celebration at Western Michigan University in Dalton Recital Hall.  Sunday, June 17, 2007 at 3 pm.
 
MOUNT CLEMENS
June 16, 2007 - Macomb County NAACP - Macomb County NAACP
Juneteenth Celebration  June 16th, 2007 Shadyside Park, Mt. Clemens 10:00 AM till 5:00 PM (located off Clinton River Dr., along the Clinton River)
Community Unity Walk  (Walk warm up @ 8:30 AM) Walk starts @9:00 AM Picnic in the Park 10:00 AM
Event
Youth fun – through out the day Starting at 10:00AM Health and Safety Awareness sessions
11:00am – 4:30 PM Live Entertainment
Gospel in the Park - 1:30 PM
Karaoke 3:00 PM
Tournaments - 3 on 3 Basketball tournaments  11:00 AM
Horseshoes 1:00 PM
Bid-Wisk tournaments 2:00 PM
Registration starts at 9:00 AM for all events
Hot Food available at 11:00 AM
 
Southfield
June 16, 2007 - Hope United Methodist Church - Location:  Hope United Methodist Church, 25275 Northwestern Hwy., Southfield, MI  48076
Date:  June 16, 2007, Time:  9:00 am - 6:00 p.m.
Activities:  games, food, bake sale, vendor booths/sales, music concert featuring renown local and national acts, storytellers, african dancers, church ministry booth displays, opening ceremonies with Juneteenth history.
FLINT
JUNE 16TH 17TH 18TH & 19TH - The Juneteenth Committee

Dear Villagers,
We are getting excited, the Buzz has began and the festivities are well on the way.  All that’s missing is you!  This year’s Juneteenth Celebration promises to be the best yet to come.  As a newly sanctioned State Holiday JUNETEENTH will take on a new face and mission, celebrated across the city with its main focus on the stage in Riverbank Park.

We would like you to consider all or any of the following types of support for
JUNETEENTH

1. Attend our lectures
2. Participate in the African American Independence  Day Parade
3. Purchase an Ad or name listing in our Juneteenth Tabloid
4. Support or take part in The Parade Route clean up
5. Submit a paper for the Father’s Day Essay Contest- 6TH thru 8th grade
6. Field a ‘2 Square’ team
7. Field an “Urban Dodge Ball” team
8. Enjoy the Concerts and Activities in the Riverbank Park
9. Submit an essay on What Juneteenth Means to Me-High School Students
10. Submit art for the Freedom Ride Art Exhibit-High School Students
11. Need organization to supply 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place monetary prize
12. Attend Reception at Red Ink Studios for Essay reading and Art Exhibit
13. Support with Balloons (helium tanks)  and other items for children
14. What would your organization like to do to support? Let us know!
15. Purchase Stage Time to make a presentation both live & televised
16. Consider sharing the Corporate/Business Sponsorship information with employer

But most of all we would like you to help us help the community embrace JUNETEENTH as a multi-cultural means of “Reflecting and Rejoicing” on our accomplishments and the work that still needs to be done by spreading the word.

 Our mission is small but obtainable, and that is to make Juneteenth celebration in Flint, Michigan a summer destination for people across the state, with your help I’m sure we can.  We want our newly sanctioned state holiday to be the biggest and best ever.  Our goal is to draw participation across the state, with talent and activities galore.  Join us in presenting “JUNETEENTH  - A TIME TO REFLECT & REJOICE.” 

Much is needed to make this event a success but it all starts with you.
 

2006
Southfield
 June 17 - 18, 2006 - Hope United Methodist Church - Juneteenth Celebration
HIStory, OUR Story - We've Come This Far By Faith

Fun, Food, Festivities, Vendors, Contests, Music & More!
Saturday, June 17th: Vendors, Exhibits, Entertainment, Food, Fun & Games 11:00 -6:00
11:00 Opening Ceremony
12:00 Step Show
1:00 Youth Exchange: An Affirmative Action Symposium
- Themes: Gone With The Wind, The Devil's Workshop (Illustrated Sermon), and Remember The Titans
- Skits, Visual and Performing Artists
- Issues impacting youth in today's society
2:00 Jazz Concert
- Plus: A Barbeque Cookoff Contest (sponsored by United Methodist Men) and a Dessert Baking Contest
(sponsored by United Methodist Women)
Sunday, June 18th, 7:30 a.m. & 10:30 a.m. Juneteenth Worship Services (Casual)
- Old Fashioned Lawn Basket Cookout 1-5 p.m. (Bring your own basket)
- Live Entertainment 2-4 p.m.
- Worship Service to honor Fathers and Pastor Stewart's Anniversary
 
Ann Arbor
June 17, 2006 - Ann Arbor NAACP - Wheeler Park (near 4th and Depot)
Near downtown Ann Arbor
June 17, 2006
Noon to 5 PM

Food, Vendors, music, Children's activities, singers, poets, storytellers, card games, history and much more!
 

2005
FLINT
The Juneteenth Committee Presents The JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION “A Time To Reflect & Rejoice"  June 16th - 19th River Bank Park Flint, MI. "If you want something that you have never had!  You have to do something that you have never done! Flint’s Juneteenth Celebration is designed to provide Flint area residents with activities and events that share and celebrate African Americans' Day of Independence. The celebration's primary focus is to build bridges of understanding and promote goodwill and a strong village. The official 2005 Juneteenth Celebration is planned for four (4) days, beginning Thursday June 16th, and ending Sunday, June 19th. Many other supporting events will take place throughout the week prior. For more information or to schedule an interview call: Paul H. Herring 810-239-2901 Ella Greene Moton 810-767-1157 Kathryn Blake 810-701-4569
JACKSON
Jackson, MI.--The JUNETEENTH Music Festival 2005 is pleased to announce that R&B legend Howard Hewett will be the featured performer for this year’s event Sat. June 18th 2005 at the Riverwalk Amphitheater in Jackson, Michigan.  The JUNETEENTH Music Festival is presented again this year by Dawn Food Products of Jackson Michigan along with a grant from the Jackson County Community Foundation and support from many local businesses and community organizations.  Arrangements for Howard Hewett were made possible by a contribution from Citizens Bank.  JUNETEENTH will be filled with live music, dance, speakers, activities for children and youth, food vendors, and educational booths hosted by local organizations.  The JUNETEENTH Music Festival is a summer benefit event for Jackson Community College’s College Incentive Program (CIP). CIP supports selected Jackson area youth with 2-years free tuition to attend JCC.  The festival is FREE and open to the public. The hours are from 2-10pm. Sat June 18th. Howard Hewett is scheduled for one appearance beginning at 7pm.  Please Call 517-796-8470 for more info.
BATTLE CREEK
Our event will be held on June 18 at Claude Evans park located on N. Washington Street from 12 noon until 5:00 PM. We will have a picnic, music, gift vendors, health vendors, and sport events. We will be given a proclamation from the County Commissioners proclaiming this event.
CASSOPOLIS
Minority Coalition of Cass County - Picnic at the Calvin Township Hall, 18727 Mt. Zion Rd. from 2 - 6 pm. Activities include music, food, games, storytelling. Free and open to the public.
SOUTHFIELD
Hope United Methodist Church - Youth Fine Arts Festival-6/17, 8:00 p.m.
African-American Expo-6/18, 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
Barbeque Cookoff /Dessert Baking Contests-6/18, 12 p.m.-1:00 p.m.
Special Worship Services-6/19,7:30 a.m. & 10:30 a.m.
Homemade Ice Cream Social-6/19, immediatedly after second service
Live Recording Gospel Concert featuring Jesse Douglas-6/19, 6:00 p.m.
MOUNT CLEMENS
June 18, 2005 - Macomb County NAACP - Community Unity Walk 8:30 am, 3on 3 Basketball tournament, Bid Wisk tournament, The Jin Harris Horseshoe Invitational, Gospel in the Park, Karaoke contest, Voter registration, Membership drive, Mt. Clemens Police department and Fire Department Safety tips, For your good health informational sessions all in Shadyside Park, along the Clinton River.  Events start at 8:00am with a warm up for the walk and run till 6pm.