LEXINGTON, Ky. (FOX 56) — Lexingtonians can expect a lot of ways to celebrate Emancipation Day this year, also known as Juneteenth.

Mayor Linda Gorton joined other community members to announce a packed week of Juneteenth events from June 10 to June 19. The press conference was held at the historic Rosenwald school. The upcoming events will include flags, food, art, music, and more. Lexington’s Equity and Implementation officer Tiffany Brown was one of the speakers, saying she’s glad to know Juneteenth is now celebrated in Lexington in such a big way.

“To help to bring to light and educate our community on the importance of emancipation of enslaved folks in this country is just it’s important to me. I think it should be important to all of us,” Brown said.

Events highlighting the celebration in Lexington include:

  • 18th Annual Juneteenth Jubilee, 7:30-8:30 p.m., June 10, African Cemetery No. 2, 419 East 7th St.: Lexington’s original Juneteenth Celebration will again highlight the spirit of freedom, and honor the Civil War soldiers who fought for that freedom. Historian and Educator Dr. Alicestyne Turley will provide the keynote address, “Kentucky’s United States Colored Troops.” Speaker – Lexington historian Yvonne Giles.
  • Soulteenth Fest, noon-6 p.m., June 17, Moondance Amphitheater, 1152 Monarch St.: Celebrates black liberation and ingenuity through music, art, agriculture, and food. Speaker – Martina Barksdale
  • Juneteenth Independence Day Celebration, doors open 4 p.m. / performances begin 6 p.m., June 17, Lyric Theatre and Cultural Arts Center, 300 E. Third St.: A celebration of African-American independence and artistic expression through live performances including jazz, hip-hop, line-dancing, African drumming, spoken word, rap, violin, stepping, ballet, gospel, acting, and opera. Speaker – Christian Adair, Lyric
  • Seventh Annual Juneteenth Celebration presented by U.S. Freedmen Coalition, 11 a.m.-7 p.m., June 18, Isaac Murphy Memorial Art Garden, 577 E. Third St.: Gospel, hip-hop, jazz, dedication of new artwork, speaker concerning saving historical black hamlets, open microphone Speaker – Marvin Young.
  • Juneteenth Freedom Day, 2-8 p.m., June 18, Douglass Park, 726 Georgetown St.: A community celebration sponsored by Wiseguys Barbershop and the Georgetown Neighborhood Association to bring awareness to culture, history, equality, and peace through food, music and activities for children. Speakers – James and Seneca Hudson
  • “A Sense of Place” campaign launch, 11 a.m., June 19, Cadentown Missionary Baptist Church, 2950 Cadentown Road: The committee working to remember and celebrate Lexington’s rural black hamlets will launch its campaign to continue preservation efforts, and to utilize the Cadentown property (including school, Church and cemetery) as a gathering place for historical purposes for over 20 plus hamlets. Speaker – Tiffany Brown.