Celebrate freedom at these Juneteenth festivals in Colorado Springs
Juneteenth is Thursday, and there are several ways to celebrate here in the Springs.
Also called Jubilee Day, this federal holiday commemorates the end of slavery in the U.S. It’s held annually on June 19, the same day Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas, back in 1865 to announce the freedom of more than 250,000 enslaved people across the state.
Early celebrations of the occasion date back to 1866, and although it has been celebrated by the Black community for decades, Juneteenth was made a federal holiday by former President Joe Biden in 2021.
Here are a couple of ways to celebrate locally:
Southern Colorado Juneteenth Festival
(Noon-8 p.m. Friday, 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday; The Citadel mall, 750 Citadel Drive E.; Free)
This year marks the fifth annual Southern Colorado Juneteenth Festival, which will take place over three days at The Citadel mall. The theme: “Boots on the Ground.”
“Everybody loves line dancing right now, so we decided to do that every day,” said Jennifer Smith, co-founder of One Body Ent, which hosts the festival. “There’s not a dull moment.”
Throughout the free celebration, there will be plenty of local entertainment, dance performances, food, educational programming, art and family-friendly activities. By relocating the festivities to The Citadel, Smith hopes to promote positivity around the space, working to destigmatize the location.
“We’re just trying to reclaim the community with the mall, to make it a positive presence versus the negative narrative that it’s had. It’s had a track record, but we’re here to change it,” Smith said.
Everything kicks off Friday afternoon with a prayer led by pastor Brandon Cormier of Zeal Church. It will continue with a show from Colorado Springs R&B line dancers, karaoke and a Juneteenth Pageant. Saturday will be a long day, starting with a health fair sponsored by UC Health and continuing with trail rides, a car show, step show, literacy corner, fashion show, live music and plenty of line dancing.
The activities will continue Sunday, leading up to a Juneteenth Emancipation Ceremony in the afternoon. And in the evening, multiplatinum R&B Group TROOP will headline the main stage with Tony Exum Jr.
Amid the celebrations, Smith emphasizes the importance of the holiday itself. It’s about freedom — and education, she said.
“It’s something that they haven’t taken away yet,” she said. “We want to make sure that the kids are encouraged, growing up in this environment with all these changes, that they know that Juneteenth is important. … To be able to be here and celebrate that, it’s important that they understand their heritage, their history.”
Juneteenth with Concrete Couch
(4-8 p.m. Thursday; Concrete Coyote Park, 1100 S Royer St.; free)
On Thursday afternoon, art collective Concrete Couch will host Juneteenth festivities to celebrate local Black artists and creatives.
Throughout the event, there will be jazz and orchestral musical performances by the Pikes Peak Musicians Association’s Chamber Orchestra featuring Iyanla Alite, musician Harriet Landrum and DJ Chris Beasley. There’ll also be BBQ and vendors throughout the event.
There will be several family-friendly art activities at the festival, as well as an obstacle course by the WHealthy fitness and wellness center. The focus is on Black history, culture and freedom with engaging activities, live music and a welcoming environment for all ages.
