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

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

Juneteenth Freedom Day Parade — 1475 Marvin C. Zanders Avenue. Saturday, June 15, 2 p.m. The parade route departs 519 S. Central Avenue, right on to 10th Street, then right on Marvin C. Zanders Avenue. It will make a left on to M.A. Board Street and end at Alonzo Williams Park.

5th Annual Juneteenth Freedom Day Celebration — Alonzo Williams Park. 225 M.A. Board Street. Saturday, June 15, 2 p.m.. The family event includes a kids' corner, music, live performances, education, food, art, culture, Apopka historical displays and networking opportunities for small and startup businesses.
 

DeLand

Unity in the Community: Juneteenth Celebration — Sanborn Center, 815 S. Alabama Ave. Saturday, June 15, 10:30 a.m. The festival features reflections on Black history, local legend talent, entertainment, a Kids Zone and children's center and food vendors.

Deltona

Unveiling of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. bust — Center at Deltona, 1640 Dr. Martin Luther King Blvd. Wednesday, June 19, 11 a.m. The unveiling by the African American Association of Deltona will celebrate the civil rights leader's impact on society and reflect on the significance of Juneteenth. Parking for the event, which is open to the public, begins at 10 a.m.

Eatonville 

A Journey Toward Freedom — Orange County Library System, Eatonville Branch, 200 E. Kennedy Blvd. Tuesday, June 18, 11:30 a.m. National historians and descendants of Eatonville residents will discuss the significance of Juneteenth and its connection to "The Town That Freedom Built." Registration is not required.

Kissimmee

Juneteenth Festival  — Kissimmee Civic Center, 201 E. Dakin Ave. Saturday, June 15, noon. The city plans to issue a proclamation celebrating the end of slavery in the United States and honoring African American culture and heritage. The festival block party features live performances by JP & The Elements, Colle Kharis, the KUA Kids Power Zone with activities for children, plus food and craft vendors. Public parking is available at the civic center and at the Toho Square Parking Garage at 92 Pleasant St.

Mount Dora

Juneteenth — A Summer Celebration of Culture  — Cauley Lott Park, 1717 N. Highland St. Saturday, June 22, noon. The city, in partnership with the Mac and Lavond Clayton Trust, will hold this celebration featuring live music by the Mount Dora Jazz Band and headliner Bobby Blackmon and a streetball event by Court Kingz. The event also will offer food, beverages, children's activities and fellowship.

Orlando 

Community Screening of the documentary-style film “Know Your Place” — Heart of Florida United Way, 1940 Cannery Way. Thursday, June 13, 6 p.m. The screening and fireside chat with Pulitzer Prize-winning author Gilbert King recognizes Central Florida’s history and offers an opportunity to discuss how we shape our future. King wrote The New York Times best-seller "The Devil in the Grove" that chronicles the attorney Thurgood Marshall's defense of four young black men in Lake County who came to be known as the “Groveland Four.” This event is open to the public. Individuals can register here at https://bit.ly/GilbertKing.  Tickets range from $6.19 (film only) to $26.19 (film plus meet-and-greet with Gilbert King). The meet-and-greet begins at 5:30 p.m.

Paving Pathways: Discover the rich history of Black history in Central Florida — Meet at Shiloh Baptist Church of Orlando, 604 W. Jackson St. Saturday, June 15, 8:30 a.m. This Central Florida Black history bus tour features stops in Ocoee, Eatonville, Parramore, historic landmarks and other key areas that have been central to Black history in Central Florida. Participants will interact with notable politicians, social justice advocates, local historians and descendants of families from the area who will share their stories and insights. Lunch is included with the $50 cost of the tour. Reservations are required.

Juneteenth Celebration 2024 — Camping World Stadium, East Plaza Lounge, 1 Citrus Bowl Place. Saturday, June 15, 2 p.m. Sen. Geraldine F. Thompson's office, the city of Orlando and the Association to Preserve African Society, History and Tradition are presenting this free event to celebrate freedom and unity. Special guests include Congressman Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.), Thompson (D-Orlando), Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, Rep. LaVon Bracy Davis (D-Orlando) and Commissioner Bakari Burns (Orlando). The celebration includes live performances, food and merchandise vendors. Entertainment will be provided by Joseph Jevanni & iNtensity Live, regularly featured at Judson’s at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts and Eddie V’s. Pastor Michael Norman will inspire all with Gospel renditions, and Frost will electrify the audience on the drums.The Craig Crawford Players, Valerie Chambers and AllGood Entertainment will round out the day with a variety of musical entertainment. Participants can browse through a diverse array of vendors offering artisan crafts, clothing, resources and more. Vendors include the Wells’Built Museum, the Orange County Regional History Center, Mental Health Association of Central Florida, the Alzheimer’s & Dementia Resource Center, the League of Women Voters, UCF, the Parramore Kids Zone: Black Bee Honey, the Orange County Library System and more.

"Up from Slavery: Aftermath of the Civil War and 'New' Freedom'" — Orlando Public Library (Albertson Room), 101 E. Central Blvd. Sunday, June 16, 3:30 p.m. This documentary is part 7 of a series. It is recommended for ages 14 and up.

Freedom and Juneteenth — Orange County Library System, Fairview Shores Branch, 902 Lee Road. Tuesday, June 18, 10:30 a.m. Learn about Juneteenth through stories and activities that celebrate freedom. This event is for children from 6 to 8 years old.

Celebrate Juneteenth — Orange County Library System, Washington Park Branch, 5151 Raleigh St., Suite A. Tuesday, June 18, 4 p.m. This is a family event, and participants will make confetti poppers. This event is for children from 6 to 8 years old.

Empowered by HERstory: A Juneteenth Celebration of Women Changemakers  — The Citrus Club, 255 S. Orange Ave., Suite 1800. Wednesday, June 19, 11:30 a.m. The event will talk about the significance of Juneteenth and how the community can continue to push for progress. A panel of women's business leaders will talk about their career journeys and hold an in-depth discussion about how to thrive as professional women of color in male-dominated industries. The panel includes Shawn Burnett, vice presidemt of legal services for Holiday Inn Vacations Club; Nadine Mentor Williams, president of Mentor Holdings and Investments, Inc.; Hope L. Newsome, founder of Meris Law PLC ;and Nikki Lewis Simon, senior vice president, shareholder and chief officer of diversity, equity and inclusion of Greenberg Traurig P.A. Registration costs $55, and the deadline is Friday, June 14 at noon.

Juneteenth: Progression from Then to Now Through Song & Dance — Orange County Multicultural Center, 7149 West Colonial Dr. Wednesday, June 19, 6:30 p.m. The event, presented by Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings and the Orange County Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Initiative, will showcase the progression of the African American culture through song, dance, cultural artifacts, education, financial fortitude and mental health and wellness. Live entertainment, giveaways and onsite community partners highlighting their resources and services will be part of the free event. 

Oviedo

Juneteenth Freedom Day — Round Lake Park, 391 E. Broadway Street. Saturday, June 22. This free, family event sponsored by Johnson Hills Washington Heights Community Outreach and the Seminole Cultural Arts Council will feature educational resources, a Juneteenth display, food, games and music by DJs.

Sanford

4th Annual Juneteenth Block Party: A Freedom Festival — Sanford Civic Center, 401 E. Seminole Blvd. Saturday, June 15, 5 p.m. Motivational speakers, a DJ, other entertainers, vendors and food trucks will be part of the event.

Wildwood

Royal Homecoming in celebration of Juneteenth — New Life Ministries, 9707 County Road 229. Sunday, June 16, 10 a.m. The Southern Poverty Law Center and Young Performing Artists Inc. will premiere the oral histories of the community of Royal, one of Florida's oldest African American communities. Many of the families still retain the 40 acres given to them through General William Tecumseh Sherman’s order on Jan. 16, 1865, to allot land to freed families during the Civil War. Much of the properties have passed from seven or more generations. Community residents are seeking nomination to the National Historic Registry listing but are facing opposition.

Winter Park

Knowing, Remembering and Reclaiming Our Stories — Ward Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME), 160 S. Pennsylvania Avenue. Saturday, June 15, 10 a.m. This is the 9th annual Juneteenth Celebration in Historic Hannibal Square. The event is hosted by Barbara Chandler in partnership with the Hannibal Square Heritage Center.

Opening reception for "See Through Our Eyes: Storytellers in Sanford and Eatonville" — Hannibal Square Heritage Center, 642 W. New England Ave. Saturday, June 15, 2 p.m.

A Night Under the Stars: Jazz & Jubilee — Winter Park Community Center and Shady Park, 721 W. New England Ave. Saturday, June 15, 5 p.m.

Juneteenth: Connecting the Dots — Winter Park Library, 1052 W. Morse Blvd. Sunday June 16, 3 p.m. Juneteenth, Watch Night Service, and the Black Church share a historical connection in U.S. Black history. Dr. Rebekah McCloud, Smith Grant scholar, will discuss these relationships in observance of Juneteenth. This is an event for individuals who are at least 18 years old. Space is limited, so please register.