15th annual JuneteenthKC Heritage Festival to take place in Historic Jazz District
The free celebration be two days and feature vendors, a kid's area, and performances from Common, Akeem Ali, and more.
Courtesy JuneteenthKC Facebook
JuneteenthKC is celebrating 15 years of its Heritage Festival, which commemorates Juneteenth, the day in 1865 when enslaved African Americans in Texas learned of their freedom over two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. The free event will take place in the 18th & Vine Historic Jazz District on June 19 from 12:00 – 8:00 p.m., and June 20 12:00 – 10:00 p.m.
The annual celebration will feature music performances, live entertainment, local art on display, youth-oriented areas, and vendors.
On Saturday, the Mainstage will open up for music performances. “We’re bringing the biggest act we’ve ever brought this year, Common, as our headlining act,” says JuneteenthKC program director Makeda Peterson.
Other performers on June 20th’s lineup include Akeem Ali, Lizzen, Tyree Neal, Da Truth Band, and more.
The Heritage Festival is a free, no-gate event, with the only paid elements being VIP options. JuneteenthKC estimates 25,000 attendees over the two days.
The free kids zone will operate both festival days from 12:00 – 6:00 p.m. and will include face paint, puppet shows, a petting zoo, bounce houses, a Literacy Zone with the KC Public Library, and more. Free books will be distributed from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. in the Literacy Zone.
The festival will also offer health services, including activities, giveaways, and free bottled water at the Health and Cooling Center.
Peterson says the 15th anniversary is especially exciting as it falls during the World Cup. “We’re inviting everyone to come out and really enjoy the Jazz District and to welcome our international guests,” Peterson says.
