Juneteenth in Oregon: What’s happening, what’s changed and what’s closed for the federal holiday

Juneteenth in Oregon: What’s happening, what’s changed and what’s closed for the federal holiday

By Rosemarie Stein | The Oregonian/OregonLive

In 1972, Clara Peoples and Ora Lee Green organized Portland’s first Juneteenth parade and public celebration. This year, Juneteenth Oregon celebrates Portland’s 50th annual Juneteenth event Saturday and Sunday with a free festival of food, live music, a beer garden, kids activities and close to 100 vendors. (Read more about Juneteenth Oregon at hereisoregon.com.)

Throughout the Portland area, events this weekend will celebrate Juneteenth, the commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States. Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021. Below, find a guide to celebrations around Portland. We’ve also included a rundown of what Oregon and federal offices will be closed for the federal holiday on June 20, as well as changes to public transportation and other services both June 19 and 20.

Portland

Patton Square Park: City African American Network hosts live music by Normal Sylvester Band, Tahirah Memory and others. Free haircuts, spoken word and dance performances, food for sale. Noon-6 p.m. Friday, June 17, at the park at North Emerson St. and Interstate Avenue; free.

Peninsula Park: Portland’s first Black book festival will be held. Noon-6 p.m. Saturday, June 18, at the park, 700 N. Rosa Parks Way. Read more about the free book festival at oregonlive.com/books

Person in green Juneteenth shirt holds part of a banner in a parade
Image from the 2019 Juneteenth Parade and Celebration. Oregonian file photo. Mark Graves/staff Mark Graves

Lillis-Albina City Park: PDX Jazz welcome the community to a weekend-long festival that includes live music and the annual Juneteenth Parade. The parade starts at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 18, and features Fire Chief Sara Boone as the grand marshal and Nikki Brown Clown. Parade begins at 5920 N.E. Martin Luther King Boulevard and heads south to Northeast Russell Street, ending at Lillis-Albina Park. Festival events at the park include live music, vendors, kid’s area, and food for purchase. Noon-7 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, June 18-19, Lillis-Albina Park,North Flint and Russell streets; free; pdxjazz.org/event

Portland Art Museum: Miller Family Free Day celebrates the holiday with a program of art-making stations, DJ sets, a live dance installation and featured exhibits including Sharita Towne & A Black Art Ecology of Portland. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, June 19, Portland Art Museum, 1219 S.W. Park Ave., reserve free admission tickets online portlandartmuseum.org/event

King School Park: The Celebration of Black Lives is an annual community festival hosted by the Big Yard Foundation. Meet with local Black business owners, shop food vendors and watch live performances. Noon-5 p.m. Sunday, June 19, King School Park, 4906 N.E. Sixth Ave.; free; bigyardfoundation.org/celebration-of-black-lives

Alberta Rose Theatre: Saxophonist Eldon T Jones and singer LaRhonda Steele perform Juneteenth Celebration Concert. 8 p.m. Saturday, June 18, Alberta Rose Theatre, 3000 N.E. Alberta St.; tickets $20-$26; event.etix.com

Jazz musician Darrell Grant will perform songs from his new recording “The New Black” on Juneteenth. Oregonian file photo. Beth Nakamura/Staff

The 1905: Jazz composer, pianist and Oregon Governor’s Arts Awardee Darrell Grant debuts his recent recording “The New Black.” Shows 7 and 9 p.m. Sunday, June 19, The 1905, 830 N. Shaver St.; pay-what-you-will at the 7 p.m. performance, tickets $20 for 9 a.m. performance; https://the1905.org. Ticket purchases benefit the Black United Fund of Oregon.

The Old Church: Fear No Music presents “Tomorrow is My Turn,” a program featuring music by Black American composers through expanded collaborations. Featured composers are Nokuthula Ngwenyama, Derrick Skye, Carlos Simon, Jesse Montgomery, and C.J. Bey and Nicholas Emerson. 7:30 p.m. Monday, June 20, Old Church, 1422 S.W. 11th Ave.; donations requested; fearnomusic.org/upcoming

Vancouver: Odyssey World International Education Services hosts a free Juneteenth Freedom Celebration including guest remarks and speeches, a gospel music performance, and announcement of 2022 Marshall Leadership Award winners. 1-7 p.m. Friday, June 17, Esther Short Park, 605 Esther St., Vancouver; free.

Oregon City: Clackamas Community College along with area organizations will host “Summer Connections,” a family-friendly event that celebrates Juneteenth, Pride Month, and other cultural and community events. Expect guest speakers, live entertainment, children’s activities, vendor booths and food. 5:30-7:30 p.m. Friday, June 17, on the college campus, 19600 Molalla Ave., Oregon City; free.

Gresham: Beyond Black Community Development Corporation presents the first Juneteenth event Gresham has hosted. Area pastors will read a Juneteenth Proclamation along with city councilors. There will also be poetry, music, and dance performances. Noon-6 p.m. Sunday, June 19, Vance Park 1400 S.W. 181st Ave.; Gresham; free.

Milwaukie: Milwaukie’s Juneteenth event will be aimed toward families and includes vendors, music by duo Nemo Avocado and activities for children including face painting. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, June 18, at Water Tower Park, 9890 S.E. 40the Ave.; free.

Closures and schedule changes

The federal holiday will be observed Monday, June 20. Here’s how libraries, government offices and transportation services have adjusted schedules.

Libraries:

Multnomah County Libraries: closed Sunday, June 19.

Beaverton City Libraries: closed Sunday, June 19.

City of Hillsboro: Libraries will be closed on Sunday, June 19. City offices and some facilities will be closed or have modified schedules on Monday, June 20.

Clackamas County: Oak Lodge and Gladstone Public Libraries closed Sunday, June 19.

Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries: closed Sunday, June 19.

(Check your local library branch for operating hours Monday, June 20.)

Public transportation:

TriMet buses and MAX will run on regular schedules Monday, June 20. WES will have no service.

C-Tran: Regular service Monday

Portland Streetcar will run on Saturday schedules Monday.

Portland Aerial Tram on regular schedule Monday.

Government offices:

Federal offices and courts – closed Monday

Oregon and Washington state offices and courts – closed Monday

CORRECTION: Portland parking meters – were free Sunday, June 19, but not Monday, June 20. This was listed in error in the original post.

Multnomah, Clackamas, Washington and Clark county offices, city of Portland and Vancouver offices – closed Monday.

New in 2022, postal mail (USPS) will not be delivered Monday, June 20, and post offices will be closed.

— Rosemarie Stein, events@oregonian.com