Juneteenth Music Festival
Austin celebrates Juneteenth with inaugural music festival
In true Austin fashion, Juneteenth will join the city's family of music festivals on Thursday, June 19 at Reagan High School’s Nelson Field. The inaugural music festival features local bands, music artists and a performance by the Austin All Star Band (AASB).
Juneteenth, also known as “Freedom Day,” honors the day the last remaining slaves were emancipated in 1865. Though the Emancipation Proclamation was signed in 1863, Texas slaves were not notified of their freedom until two years later. Since then, African-Americans nationwide celebrate the final emancipation of slaves with an annual observance on June 19.
The Juneteenth Musical Festival is set to showcase live tunes from homegrown groups including Mojo Queen, The Soul Steppers, Courtney Sanchez and the Boss Street Brass Band. Musical performances from the AASB and the Manor drumline are sure to be family-friendly crowd favorites. Doors open at 5 pm and the $10 tickets can be purchased at the door.
The festivities continue on Sunday with the Central Texas Juneteenth Committee’s annual Juneteenth Celebration. Gather the family for a Saturday full of events including a 2K Freedom Run/Walk and the Juneteenth Historical Parade, both of which begin on the corner of Comal St. and Martin Luther King Blvd. Spend the rest of Saturday celebrating at Rosewood Park from noon - 8 pm.
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For more information and a full schedule of Juneteenth events, click here.