YAKIMA, Wash. Several Juneteenth Celebrations are scheduled for both Yakima and Ellensburg starting June 15.
Yakima County’s National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) chapter is hosting a Juneteenth celebration on Saturday, June 15, from 12 to 5 p.m.
According to the City of Yakima, the Juneteenth ‘Celebrating Freedom’ event will begin at 11 a.m. with a ‘Freedom Ride’ from Central Lutheran Church to Southeast Community Park. The celebration will honor the Juneteenth holiday, commemorating African Americans’ emancipation from enslavement.
The Yakima County NAACP has partnered with Yakima Parks and Recreation, Opportunities Industrialization Center of Washington, the U.S. Department of Housing and Development, MultiCare, and the Central Lutheran church to bring this event to the community.
The event will feature Mr. and Mrs. Juneteenth, food vendors, resource booths and a free throw and 3-point basketball contests.
Juneteenth events are also planned in Ellensburg on June 19 and all month long at Central Washington University.
The Ellensburg Downtown Association will host Juneteenth celebrations on Pine Street between 3rd and 4th Avenues on June 19, according to the City, including a Night Market on Pine Street until 8 p.m.
At 5:30 p.m., Ellensburg’s official Juneteenth celebration honoring the past and embracing the unity and strength of the community featuring local dignitaries and community leaders will be held.
Monthlong Juneteenth events in Ellensburg:
The Kittitas County Historical Museum will be offering Juneteenth programming highlighting the history and culture of African Americans in Kittitas County. Museum hours are from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.The CWU Archives and Special Collections: Juneteenth exhibit on the first floor of the James E. Brooks Library.
