Albany’s annual Juneteenth celebration will be held this year on Saturday, June 18th, from 12:00 PM until 5:00 PM. The celebration will be based at the African American Cultural Center of the Capital Region at 135 South Pearl Street, but will take place all along South Pearl St. Check out the full schedule of events, including live performances, below.
Juneteenth, named as a combination of ‘June’ and ‘nineteenth,’ is a celebration of the emancipation of African-Americans from slavery in the United States. The date commemorates the arrival of General Gordon Granger in Galveston, Texas on June 19, 1865. General Granger, who arrived two-and-a-half years after the Emancipation Proclamation by President Lincoln, brought the news that the Civil War had ended and slavery was abolished.
In 2020, the city of Albany recognized Juneteenth as an official holiday, and in 2021, it was recognized by the Federal, New York State, and Albany county governments. The annual celebration held in Albany aims to educate and uplift guests through live performances, cultural arts, great food, and wellness information.
The Juneteenth festival takes place along South Pearl Street, and visitors are encouraged to explore businesses and restaurants along the road and celebrate the diversity, deep roots, resiliency, and rich history of the area. The entirety of the street between Madison Avenue and Westerlo St will be closed to traffic during the festival.
2022 Albany Juneteenth Festival Schedule | June 18, 2022
12:00 PM | The African Heritage Parade concludes at South End Grocery
12:30 PM | Salutation: Ms. Linda Jackson-Chalmers, President
12:35 PM | Opening Remarks: Mr. Travon T. Jackson, Executive Director
12:45 PM | Invocation: Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing (Black National Anthem) by James Weldon Johnson & J. Rosamond Johnson
12:50 PM | Opening Performances: Qualiti, Liana’kim, and Kai-Yola
1:00 PM | CAPCOM FCU Children’s Zone Kickoff: Young Futures, Inc.
1:00 PM | Vidbel Mountain Petting Zoo Opening
1:00 PM | Ben & Jerry’s Free Ice Cream Giveaway
1:15 PM | South End Grocery Announcement: South Albany Grocery Coalition
1:30 PM | Afternoon Performances: Qualiti, Liana’kim, and Kai-Yola
3:30 PM | Youth Performance: Hip Hop and Community Praise Dance Team
4:00 PM | Closing Performance: Out of the Box Band
5:00 PM | Festival Closing
