ORLANDO — Commemorating the day, June 19, 1865, when the last African-American slaves finally learned they were free —2-1/2 years after President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation — Juneteenth is the oldest nationally recognized celebration of the end of slavery in the United States.

What began in the 19th century as a local celebration in Galveston, Texas, has since spread to cities across the country.

It became a federal holiday in 2021.

Here's how Central Florida is celebrating Juneteenth this year.

Apopka

1st Annual Juneteenth Freedom Parade — Phyllis Wheatley Elementary. 1475 Marvin C. Zanders Avenue. Saturday, June 17, 10:30 a.m. Click here for more details on the parade.

4th Annual Juneteenth Celebration — Alonzo Williams Park. 225 M.A. Board Street. Saturday, June 17, noon. The event includes a kids' corner, music, live performances, education, food, art, culture, Apopka historical displays and much more. Organizers say the event will help raise funds for the community and provide networking opportunities for small and startup businesses.
 

Daytona Beach 

Juneteenth Community Parade — Click here for the parade route. Saturday, June 17, 10 a.m. Celebrating diversity, unity and community. Presented by the Juneteenth Committee, Inc. in partnership with Bethune-Cookman University, the city of Daytona Beach, Daytona Beach NAACP and Habitat for Humanity. 

Juneteenth Family Festival — Cypress Park, 925 George Engram Boulevard. Saturday, June 17, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. This free, community event includes live musical entertainment, over 100 food vendors, merchandise, interactive activity booths, dancing, children’s games, educational activities and an annual Pound Cake Contest. In addition, organizers say proceeds from this event will help support college scholarships for area youth.
 

Groveland

Third Annual Juneteenth Celebration — Lake David Park, 450 S. Lake Avenue. Friday, June 16, 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. The City of Groveland and Be Free Lake is hosting the event which will feature cultural dance, stepping performances, a DJ, vendors and a barbecue competition.
 

Maitland

Wakandan Style Juneteenth Father's Day Gala — Venue on the Lake, 641 South Maitland Avenue. Friday, June 16, 6:30 p.m. Red carpet experience. Five-course Caribbean meal served at 7 p.m. Live music by The Beat Down Band, silent auction, cash raffles and college scholarship giveaways. Dress code dashiki's or tuxedos. Click here for ticket information.

Central Florida Juneteenth Celebration — Lake Lily Park, 701 Lake Lily Drive. Saturday, June 17, noon to 10 p.m. Celebrate, educate and unite. Fireworks, a 6,000-square-foot kids zone, and all kids eat free while supplies last. Click here for ticket information. 
 

Mount Dora

City of Mount Dora Presents Juneteenth: A Summer Celebration of Culture — Cauley Lott Park, 1717 N. Highland Street. Saturday, June 17, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Featuring live music by The BlueMoon Band, food and beverages and activities for kids. 
 

Orlando

Juneteenth & Greek Day Celebration  — Front lawn of the Orange County Administration Building, 201 S. Rosalind Avenue in Orlando. Wednesday, June 14, 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. The Orange County Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Initiative free community resource event will feature food trucks, kids zone, community vendors and more.  

2nd Annual City of Orlando Juneteenth Celebration — Clear Lake Park, 2301 29th Street. Saturday, June 17, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, District 5 Commissioner Regina Hill and District 6 Commissioner Bakari Burns will help kick off the event, which will feature live music and entertainment, a kids' zone, vendor village and food trucks. 
 

Ocoee

Juneteenth: Resource & Cultural Arts Festival — Bill Breeze Park, 125 N. Lakeshore Drive. Saturday, June 17, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Organizers say there will be over 20 community resource booths, including free diapers from CFL Diaper Bank, free food donated by Daily Bread and legal assistance offered with Legal Aid Society. Volunteers will help guests with college scholarships, registering to vote, Healthcare Marketplace and Medicare. There will be live performances from Shawn Welcome, CFC Arts, Jazz trombonist Derek Harris, Lydea Strickland, Edgez Dance and DJ Knight Train. Event is free.

Winter Park

5th Annual Hannibal Square Community Land Trust  Juneteenth Roundtable Discussion: Race, Housing and Health — Winter Park Events Center 1050 W. Morse Boulevard. Thursday, June 15 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Click here to register. 

8th Annual Juneteenth Celebration in Historic Hannibal Square: Remembering Rosewood — Winter Park Community Center and Shady Park 721 W. New England Avenue. Saturday, June 17, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Curated by Barbara Chandler in partnership with Hannibal Square Heritage Center. 

Educational Seminars 2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. presented by the Equity Council Corp. in partnership with the Parks and Recreation Department

A Night Under the Stars: Jazz & Jubilee 5 p.m. - 10 p.m. presented by the Equity Council Corp. in partnership with the Parks and Recreation Department

From Gullah to Juneteenth (three informative sessions) Tuesday, June 20. 2 p.m., 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. limited seating; to reserve access click here.