Ald. Coggs invites community to participate in Juneteenth festivities this weekend

Sunday is Juneteenth Day, and Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs is inviting the entire community to take part in the annual festivities scheduled to take place throughout the day on Sunday, June 19. The annual Juneteenth Day celebration is a nationwide event commemorating freedom proclaimed to all enslaved people of African descent in the South by Union General Gordon Granger on June 19, 1865 in Galveston, Texas, nearly two and a half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. 2022 marks the 51^st recognition of Juneteenth in Milwaukee, making the city’s celebration one of the longest running in the country.

The day begins with the Juneteenth Parade starting at 9 a.m. followed by opening ceremonies at 11 a.m. The parade starts at North 14th Street and West Atkinson Avenue, travels south to King Drive, then east to Locust Street. The street festival runs from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. and takes place on King Drive between West Burleigh and West Center streets. The festival includes food, vendors, music, games, community resources and more. The day concludes with a concert taking place from 6 – 8 p.m. at Bernice & Clinton Rose Park.

“Juneteenth Day holds a special significance for so many people, and it always warms my heart to see the community come together for Juneteenth Day every year,” said Alderwoman Coggs. “This year’s festivities promise to deliver another year of fun and celebration, and I would encourage everyone to stop by to partake in what Juneteenth has to offer.”

The Common Council’s Community and Economic Development Committee recently passed a file sponsored by Alderwoman Coggs designating Juneteenth Day as an annual official City event. The full Common Council will consider the resolution at its meeting on Tuesday, June 21.

Juneteenth Day events are free and open to the public. Additional information can be found by visiting www.juneteenthmke.org.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.