5 Juneteenth Events this weekend

Fairfax County is gearing up for a weekend filled with joy and celebration as various events are planned to commemorate Juneteenth, taking place from June 17 to June 19.

Just recently, on June 6, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors officially recognized June 19 of this year as Juneteenth. This holiday, which has gained recognition at both the state and federal levels, commemorates the day in 1865 when enslaved men and women in Galveston, Texas finally received news of their freedom, two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued in 1863.

A word to the wise…make sure to check the weather forecast before you go out. You might want to take an umbrella just in case.

Below is a list of some of the Juneteenth celebrations happening throughout Fairfax County this weekend:

1. Fairfax Juneteenth Celebration

   • Date: Saturday, June 17

   • Time: Begins at 10 a.m.

   • Location: Veteran Amphitheatre (10455 Armstrong Street)

   • Description: Co-hosted by the City of Fairfax and Mount Calvary Baptist Church, this celebration will commence with a formal ceremony at 10 a.m. at the Veteran Amphitheatre, featuring anthem performances and guest speakers. Following the ceremony, there will be a parade from the amphitheatre to Mount Calvary Baptist Church, where attendees can enjoy food trucks, craft and informational vendors, live music and dance performances, a car show, family activities, and an opportunity to learn about African American history and genealogical resources.

2. Bull Run Church and Harris Cemetery Juneteenth Celebration

   • Date: Saturday, June 17

   • Time: 10:30 a.m. to noon

   • Location: Bull Run Regional Park (behind the Atlantis Waterpark)

   • Description: This celebration at Bull Run (7700 Bull Run Drive) is returning for its second year. Organized as a joint initiative between Virginia NAACP and NOVA Parks, the event aims to recognize the largest private emancipation of enslaved individuals. The celebration will feature a guest speaker, a Black Expo, and a children's activity. Attendees are encouraged to bring toddler and children's books as donations for Centreville United Methodist Church's local literacy ministry.

3. Gum Springs Community Day/Juneteenth

   • Date: Saturday, June 17

   • Time: 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

   • Location: Martin Luther King Jr. Park Reservable Picnic Area (8115 Fordson Road)

   • Description: This Community Day/Juneteenth celebration commemorates the 190th anniversary of the founding of Gum Springs, the oldest African American community in Fairfax County, by West Ford. The day will kick off at the park with a historic marker dedication and unveiling of a new sign recounting Ford's story. A parade will follow, and attendees can enjoy an auction, health fair, carnival rides, food, and music.

4. Juneteenth Fairfax County Celebration at Frying Pan Farm Park

   • Date: Saturday, June 17

   • Time: 11:00 a.m. to 2 p.m. (divided into three one-hour-long sessions)

   • Location: Frying Pan Farm Park (2709 West Ox Road)

   • Description: Frying Pan Farm Park offers families a venue to celebrate Juneteenth while enjoying the company of adorable farm animals. The event will provide an opportunity to engage with African American culture and history through a special guest storyteller, live music, crafts, historical exhibits, and food trucks offering African American cuisine.

5. Vienna Juneteenth Celebration

   • Date: Saturday, June 17

   • Time: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

   • Location: First Baptist Church (450 Orchard Street NW)