Parade, musical performances and more. What to expect for Wichita’s Juneteenth celebration
A parade, musical performances, a barbecue cook-off and a 2-mile run are among the ways Wichitans can celebrate Juneteenth this weekend.
Juneteenth, derived from the words “June” and “nineteenth,” is a federally recognized holiday celebrating Black and African-American communities in the United States.
It commemorates the anniversary of June 19, 1865, when Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas, to bring news of freedom for over 250,000 African Americans in the state — more than two years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation.
In June 2021, President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law, making it a federally recognized holiday.
A series of events is planned in Wichita to mark the holiday.
Thursday, June 13
Seven delegates will compete Thursday in the 4th annual Miss Juneteenth ICT Competition. They will be given the opportunity to advocate for civic causes and showcase their talents.
“This pageant instills young women the ability to have the confidence and courage to believe in themselves, their community and play an active role in celebrating black history and the story of Juneteenth,” Juneteenth ICT chair Tadonne Neal said.
The event will be at 7 p.m. at Wichita State University’s CAC Theater. Tickets are $15 at the door.
Friday, June 14
Sounds of Juneteenth ICT will be presented from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at McAdams Park, 1329 E. 13 St. N. Attendees will get to experience “soulful sounds” through live music from various genres. Urban gospel artist Roye Moye III, musical/visual artist Paris Chang and Wichita southern soul-based band N.E.W. Funk will perform.
“It’s all family friendly,” Neal said. “We’ll have vendors for those that would like to shop the local businesses and lots of food offerings.”
Entrance at McAdams Park events will require an armband good for the whole weekend. They are $6 and can be purchased at the events or at these locations: The Blackprint ICT, 104A St. Francis; 2 Beatz Boutique, 320 S. Market St.; Jewel Angels, 3236 E. Douglas Ave.; Simply Sangria, 243 N. Cleveland. Armbands for ages 4-13 are $3.
Saturday, June 15
The 5th annual Juneteenth Jubilee 2-mile run/walk by the Wichita Athletics Track Club starts at 7:30 a.m. on the track field at Friends University. Tickets are $25 for kids 12 and under and $30 for adults. To sign up and purchase tickets, click here.
Later, the Juneteenth ICT parade will start at 10 a.m. at Holy Savior Catholic Church, 1457 N. Chautauqua, and move to McAdams Park.
At the park, attendees can expect live music, a community drumline, food trucks and over 100 vendors to shop from until 9 p.m., Neal said. Attendees must have the $6 wristband.
The 4th annual Carl Brewer Barbecue Cook-off will be from noon to 3 p.m. Registration fees vary from $15 to $30 per team. Register for the cook-off here.
Brewer was Wichita’s first elected Black mayor and served from 2007 to 2015. He died in June 2020 at the age of 63.
Brewer was known for competing on barbecue circuits.
Saturday’s live music line-up at McAdams includes Xtreme Hip-Hop at noon and 5 p.m., with artists Miles Murray, Delaney Ranese Williams and Kimberly Paige and band taking the main stage from 6:45 to 9 p.m.
Other offerings include activities at Kids’ Corner and Education Corner, where families can come and work on their family tree together. These activities will run at 11:30 a.m. and again at 4 p.m.
Sunday, June 16
Gospel soprano artist Chrystal Rucker will headline Sunday’s gospel concert at McAdams. The concert will be hosted by Rock Christian Fellowship Church and feature performances from Wichita choirs. It starts at 6 p.m.
Also
The Wichita Public Library’s Angelou northeast branch, 3051 E. 21st St. N., is celebrating the holiday from June 13 -16 with “Juneteenth Freedom Bracelets,” make and take craft kids for kids ages 8-18, the library said in a social media post.
