Juneteenth Celebrations Set to Ignite Northeast Ohio

There are several Juneteenth celebrations taking place in coming days in Northeast Ohio.

The federal holiday focuses on family, food music and African American heritage and history.

Here’s a glance

• Oberlin’s 2025 Juneteenth Celebration Festival is June 13 and 14 in the George A. Abram Pavilion and on the lawn of the Roundhouse, home of the Oberlin Underground Railroad Center, at the intersection of Main Street and Edison Street behind McDonald’s.

Organized by the Juneteenth Oberlin Executive Board and dedicated to the theme of “Working Together on a Spiritual Level for Freedom,” this year’s event starts with a fashion show at the Roundhouse from 6-8 p.m. June 13. Daytime festivities will begin at 9 a.m. June 14 with food vendors, merchants and local nonprofits’ informational booths on site. Children’s activities offered all day, including horseback riding. The Juneteenth Parade starts at noon at Spring Street Park. Maafa memorial services will take place at Westwood Cemetery beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Volunteers from the Wilson Bruce Evans Home Historical Society will join with Oberlin Heritage Center friends in staffing a table near the Roundhouse on June 14. Stop by and pick up a Juneteenth flag.

• Sororities and fraternities of Lorain County’s Black Greek chapters known, as the DIVINE 9, will be recognized at the 13th annual Juneteenth Bluesfest on June 15 at Lakeview Park, 1800 W. Erie Ave. in Lorain. All DIVINE 9 members will be recognized, so wear your colors,” said Loretta Jones, an event organizer.

Other historic moments at Juneteenth Bluesfest is Abraham Lincoln, portrayed by John Cooper, who will read the Emancipation Proclamation; Sojourner Truth, portrayed by Inez James; a Pound Cake Contest and free samples of Christa’s banana pudding. The New Orleans style Second Line Parade will march through the neighborhood to Lakeview Park prior to the start of the Bluesfest. The line-up starts at 2:15 p.m. at Lakeview Park South at 2:15 p.m.

The public is invited to bring lawn chairs and enjoy the music of Apostle Jones Band followed by headliner, the Wallace Coleman Band with bluesman Coleman on harmonica. The Bluesfest runs from 3-7 p.m.

Cofield BBQ Food Truck will provide food and members of God’s Kngdom Worship Center will offer free hot dogs to children age 12 and younger.

For further information, call 440- 322-6308.

• Juneteenth Gospel Celebration at Harrison from 6-8:30 p.m. June 19 at the Harrison Cultural Community Centre, 1922 Hamilton Ave. in Lorain. There will be an evening of music, movement and meaning at the Juneteenth Gospel Celebration. This special event will include gospel performances, youth activities and a community basketball tournament on the newly remodeled court. It’s a powerful celebration of resilience, unity and Black history in Lorain. Bring the whole family. The rain location is Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, 3900 Clinton Ave. in Lorain.

• Join Lorain County in commemorating Juneteenth by participating in the Caravan for Justice and Equality on June 19, sponsored by Elyria Black Legacy Connection and the city of Elyria. The Caravan for Justice and Equality Committee has developed a safe and enjoyable route with the assistance of local governing authorities and safety forces for the caravan to be escorted from the city of Lorain, through the city of Oberlin and ending in Elyria.

The starting location is Greater Victory Christian Ministries, 559 Reid Ave. in Lorain, and concludes at Elyria City Hall parking lot. There will be a few works spoken by leaders and light refreshments.

For more information, visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfpnoYlNH3Zje1UQYKLn9zyd0mTYEFa8bdCWCfD1rpvI0u71w/viewform .

• The Lorain Public Library System will honor Juneteenth with “Rhythms of Freedom: Honoring Juneteenth” at 3 p.m. June 20 at the South Lorain Branch, 2121 Homewood Drive.

Celebrate Juneteenth with an afternoon of dance, poetry, music, art and food that highlights the richness of African American culture and history. Preregistration required by visiting https://www.lorainpubliclibrary.org/programs?action=show&id=44069 .

• The NAACP Sandusky Unit 3199 is presenting its first Juneteenth Freedom Fest from June 20-22 at Jaycee Park, located on the corner of Boalt and Lane streets in Sandusky. This vibrant, fun-filled event celebrates the rich cultural heritage and freedom of African Americans associated with Juneteenth, offering enjoyable activities for families and community members of all ages.

The festival features a variety of exciting attractions, including a bounce house area, face-painting and numerous games and activities for children, teens and young adults. Attendees also can enjoy basketball tournaments, with 5-on-5 games for elementary and middle school students, and a 3-

on-3 tournament for high school students and young adults. Everything from basketball, flag football and baseball will be available for third grade to high school students. An all-star baseball game for ages 10-and-younger and 12-and-younger players June 20 will be a major attraction at Rather Field. A high school game, which also will feature alumni players, will follow.

Throughout the event, guests will experience uplifting music, entertainment and opportunities for local youth to display their talents, creating a lively atmosphere that fosters community spirit.

Nevaeh Richardson, dance instructor for Sandusky High School, will feature some of the student dancers in Sandusky Schools. The festival will conclude with the “Power of Prayer and Praise” event, which features a community choir of gospel singers from local congregations.

Event hours are 3-8 p.m. June 20, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. June 21 and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 22.

For those interested in reserving spots for food truck vendors and merchandise tables, contact Barbara Clark at 419-357-3279.

For inquiries about basketball tournaments, reach out to Demar Moore, head coach for the Sandusky High School boys basketball team, which made it to the Final Four of the state tournament in 2025, the longest run in Sandusky history. Moore can be reached at 419-557-1385.

• The city of Elyria, Elyria Community Partnership, and the Elyria Black Legacy Connection, will host the fourth annual Juneteenth parade and festival from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 21 in Ely Square. The Commemorative Parade will meet at the Elyria Athletic Sports Complex Varsity Baseball Field, 1915 Middle Ave. The lineup starts at 10:45 a.m. and parade begins at 11:15 a.m. Also, the Smart Set Softball Game starts at 7:30 p.m. at West Park, 1200 Foster Ave.

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