CLEVELAND, Ohio – The greater Cleveland area is great fun this weekend.
One of the highlights is Saturday June 19th – also known as Juneteenth, a holiday that marks the official end of slavery in the United States. The celebration celebrates June 19, 1865, when the Union Generals announced the end of the Civil War and freedom from slavery in Texas.
This is where you’ll find some of the June 16 celebrations, as well as other events and activities, this weekend in northeast Ohio.
(Image courtesy Freedom Fest)
Cleveland’s Juneteenth Freedom Fest
Downtown Cleveland celebrates June thenth with Freedom Fest Saturday, which features tons of live music, art performances, a merchant village and more, and topped off with fireworks at the end of the day. It is headed by Grammy-winning artist Terri Lyne Carrington + Social Science and also features a #VoicesofCLE art installation and performances by Karamu House. Free.
Mall C in downtown Cleveland
Noon-10 p.m., June 19
(Photo by David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com)
Other June celebrations
In addition to Freedom Fest, there are many Juneteenth celebrations in Cleveland this year. Here are a few to note:
-Coventry Village: A black-owned dealer market will sell goods while bands like Mourning [A] Perform BLKstar, Muamin Collective, Smith Taylor and local poets. “Black Panther” is shown in the park at night. Coventry Road, Cleveland Heights. Noon, June 19th. coventryvillage.org
-Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Performances by Djapo Cultural Arts Institute, Afi Scruggs, Ngina Fayola, and others will make up the June 10th outdoor celebration at the Rock Hall. Free of charge, museum admission not included. 1100 E. 9th St., Cleveland. June 19, 12 p.m. – 8 p.m. rockhall.com
-June at the African American Cultural Garden: Dance, spoken word and theatrical performances will fill the Centennial Peace Plaza of the Cultural Gardens on June 15th. Free. Located on the Harrison Dillard Trail, Cleveland. 11 am-3pm, June 19th. clevelandculturalgardens.org
-Cleveland Public Library Juneteenth Celebrations: The Cleveland Public Library and many of its branches will be hosting Juneteenth celebrations including a poetry reading, documentary screening, and panel discussion through June 19. Here you can find a list of the free events – a mix of virtual and personal mix – online. Until June 19th. cpl.org.
-Junieenth BluesFest: Enjoy a day at the beach with lots of live music at Lakeview Park in Lorain. Audacity for Sale, Hubb’s Groove and Da Land Brass Band will be performing bluesy tunes for attendees at this free event. 1800 West Erie Ave., Lorain. 3 p.m. – 7 p.m., June 19. loraincountymetroparks.com
-Junieenth on Buckeye: The Buckeye Summer Soul Series is hosting its fourth annual Juneteenth celebration with entertainment, giveaways, food, vendors, and more. Art & Soul Park, 11802 Buckeye Road, Cleveland. June 19, 12 p.m. – 6 p.m. facebook.com/buckeyesummersoulseries.
-Junieenth Garden Party: Village Family Farms and the Little Africa Food Collaborative are holding a garden party on Saturday with the theme “How are the children”. 1662 Crawford Street, Cleveland. 1 p.m., June 19. facebook.com/littleafricafco
-Juneteenth Summer Music Fest: Local artists will make up this Summer Music Festival event hosted in the Grand Ballroom by Sausalito Catering. The line-up includes Ej and the Animals Band, Dre Walton, Yanna I’Vonne, Sharlenne Evett, and more. Tickets $ 20- $ 300. 10808 Granger Road, Garfield Heights. 9 p.m. – 2 a.m., June 19. Eventbrite link
-Mx. Juneteenth, a Black & Queer Liberation Celebration: Drag and DJ performances, food, music, art and vendors will all be part of the celebrations at this event. Free, with a suggested donation of $ 5 to $ 10. 4701 Perkins Ave., Cleveland. 3 p.m. – 7 p.m., June 19. tinyurl.com/MxJuneteenthRSVP
-Juneteenth Bicycle Ride around the Circle: Take a group bike tour around the University Circle and learn about the successes of African Americans in the area along the way. Free of charge, limited registration. 928 Wheelock Road, Cleveland. 10.30am-1.30pm, June 19th Eventbrite link
-Juneteenth Block Party & Vendor Fair: Lokul, a black business support app, will host a party at UnBar Cafe in Cleveland’s Larchmere neighborhood, hosting local businesses in a shopping location. 12635 Larchmere Blvd., Cleveland. June 19, 12 p.m. – 6 p.m. facebook.com/lokulapp
-Land Before Rhyme Juneteenth Show: The local spoken word organization Land Before Rhyme is hosting a poetry performance on Saturday in June. Cards $ 15. 2728 Lancashire Road, Cleveland Heights. 7.30pm-10.30pm Eventbrite link
Cuyahoga River Rally
Live music, yoga classes and tours for bikers, hikers and paddlers will take place all day in Hart Crane Park during this year’s Cuyahoga River Rally. Musical performances by Front Porch Lights, Eric Levin Band, Liz Kelly and Jul Big Green will take place from 12.30pm to 5pm. The event is free and public.
Hart Crane Park, Cleveland
9:30 am-5:00pm, June 19th
(Image courtesy of UCI)
Yay! Saturdays in the calf oval
University Circle in Cleveland brings a little more fun to the weekends this spring and summer. The six-week series entitled “YAY! Saturdays “offers family-friendly activities, workshops, games and performances around Wade Oval. Every YAY! The Saturday event offers activities in three zones: an education-oriented “Discovery Zone”, a fitness-oriented “Shape Up Zone” and an art-oriented “Fan Zone”. Free of charge, online registration recommended
10820 East Blvd., Cleveland
10 a.m. – 1 p.m., June 19
universitycircle.org/yay-saturdays
Read more about Yay! Saturdays
(Photo by Carol Kovach, specially made for cleveland.com)
Strawberry Festival
This weekend, pick your own strawberries at Bauman Orchards for the farm’s annual Strawberry Festival. Plus, enjoy strawberry donuts, ice cream, live music, and food stalls. Free.
161 Rittman Ave., Rittman
8 a.m. to 5 p.m., June 19
(Courtesy photo of Playhouse Square)
“The Human Choir” in Playhouse Square
Live performances return to the Cleveland theater district. Set in an Irish pub, the show features a cast of multi-talented singers, dancers and musicians who perform a stirring mix of Irish melodies, pop music and Broadway classics. Cards, $ 59- $ 79.
Mimi Ohio Theater, 1511 Euclid Ave, Cleveland
June 11th – July 11th
(Photo by Thomas Ondrey, The Plain Dealer)The Plain Dealer
Take a walking tour of historical tours
The Historic Gateway Neighborhood Corporation has resumed in-person tours of Cleveland. Learn about the city’s history, architecture, cultural institutions, and more from knowledgeable guides. There are 14 unique tours to choose from. Free of charge, but reservation recommended.
Daily until September
Maker Town Market
Maker Town Markets are held every Sunday at Saucy Brew Works’ outdoor patio Vibe Garden in Hingetown. The events feature a range of local artisans selling their creations and introduce manufacturers in an app to connect customers with local art.
2828 Clinton Avenue, Cleveland
Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. until Labor Day
Read more about Maker Town Market
(Photo by Marvin Fong, The Plain Dealer)The Plain Dealer
West Side Market
Visit one of Cleveland’s most iconic landmarks this weekend. The West Side Market has been open to shoppers since 1912 and continues to welcome customers today. The main area of the market offers prepared food, meat, bread and other specialties, while a side wing offers fruit and vegetable vendors.
1979 W. 25th St., Cleveland
Fridays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
(Photo by Lisa DeJong, The Plain Dealer)The Plain Dealer
Farmers markets
At several farmers’ markets in the west, east and south of the city you can stock up on fresh products, meat, dairy products, baked goods, spices and other foods from the region.
-North Union Farmers Market in Crocker Park
177 Marktstrasse, Westlake
9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturdays
– North Union Farmers Markets in Shaker Square
13111 Shaker Square, Cleveland
8 a.m. – 12 p.m., Saturdays
– Farmer’s Market on Coit Road
15000 Woodworth Street.
8 a.m., Saturdays
-Medina County Farmers Market
Medina VFW Post 5137, 3916 Pearl Road.
9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturdays
-Frostville Farmers Market
24101 Cedar Point Road, North Olmsted
9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturdays until October 31
-Geauga Fresh Farmers Market
5205 Chillicothe Rd., South Russell (summer market)
9 am-12pm, Saturdays, May 9th-Oct. 17th
-Good Earth Urban Farm Stand
9600 Madison Avenue, Cleveland Level
Saturdays from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., May-October
-Miles Farmers Market
28560 Miles Road, Solon
9 a.m. – 6 p.m., daily
-Szalays Farm & Market
4563 Riverview Road, Peninsula
9 am-7pm, daily
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