Downtown Akron Juneteenth Celebration
Category: Event Calendar
Dates and Times for this Past Event
- Saturday, Jun 22, 2024
- Friday, Jun 21, 2024
Details
***The 2025 Juneteenth Celebration will take place Sunday, June 1, 2025***
June 21: Mix & Mingle at The Knight Stage (Get tickets here.)
June 22: Saturday Celebration at Cascade Plaza
There are numerous Juneteenth Celebrations all over Akron from June 15 - 22. Check them out here.
At the Downtown Akron Juneteenth Celebration Saturday event
The Downtown Akron Juneteenth Celebration Saturday is a Vendor Fair Showcase, with music by DJ 8-Bit and Emcee Floco Torres. Plus, Line Dancing from 4:30 - 5:30 pm with JustUs Line Dance Crew.
Food
Southern Comfort Kitchen (Creole/Cajun cuisine, authentic New Orleans Flavor to Ohio: Shrimp, fish, crawfish Mac, jambalaya, crawfish etouffe, chicken tenders, fries, hush puppies)
The Twisted Jerk (Jamaican Jerk cuisine with a soulful twist: Jerk Chicken Chicken Bowls, Fried Turkey Ribs, Jerk Lamb Chops, Whole Wings, Smackin Mac, Cabbage, Fries, Twisted Corn)
da Bayou Cajun & Creole (Cajun & Creole: Gumbo, Gator, Catfish, Lobster Mac & cheese)
Cookies BBQ (Soul Food: Greens, Mac and Cheese, fried or grilled Chicken, Ribs, yams, homemade lemonades, water)
Da Dawg House (Smash burgers, fresh cut fries, dogs, coneys and joes. We also have vegetarian options of everything. We do have a specialty dog and burger that comes with seasoned fries on it along with our special sauce.)
The Ice Bucket (One-of-a-kind sherbet shakes, soft shaved ice and novelty ice cream treats. We also offer non-dairy, sugar free and natural options.)
Ernie's Catering (Fried Swai Fish Sandwiches with chips)
Big Deal Whitfield (Authentic creole and soul food: macaroni and cheese, pot roast beef, seafood gumbo, sweet potatoes)
The Smoothie Stand & Co (Frozen fruit smoothie and frozen fruit lemonades)
Vendors
Julia Belle's Seasonings (Hand-blended seasonings, rubs & mixes, no MSG, GMO or artificial colors, with salt and sugar free options. Our side-dish mixes can be made by adding 2-3 kitchen ingredients)
ib.graphics_plus (Caricatures/ face painting and event themed merch)
Elizabeth's Bookshop & Writing Centre (We sell new books that exclusively center and amplify marginalized voices. We plan to bring a selection of books by Black authors, including books about Juneteenth and Black history)
Hair Geek (hair products and women's clothes)
P31 Art & Design (P31 is a family run company that sells the collective works of Mother-Daughter Duo, Stephanie Stewart and Kyla-Ann Decatur. The company creates hand painted and handmade goods and sells affordable top quality art.)
Drive-Thru Weddings and Notary (Drive-Thru and Micro Weddings (Blu-tique Hotel))
SetTrendz Jewelry (Handmade artisan jewelry specializing in the traditional art of waistbeads)
Nuni Products (We sell Body Butters, natural soaps, body oils, lip balms, scrubs, lotions, and beard products)
Saint Rest Publications (Books, prints, and t-shirts)
Hilltastic Coaching (Books, bracelets, cultural awareness merch)
Lady J Accessories (Custom Jewelry, ladies accessories and t-shirts, divine 9 custom items, designer inspired handbags)
Set Trendz Jewelry (Handmade artisan jewelry specializing in the traditional art of waistbeads)
Gear2Go (Juneteenth tees, dresses, hats, leggings)
Community
The Suite (Free Balloon Animals)
Pretty Handsome Photo Booth (Free Photo Strips)
CRPS Hope 4 a Cure (Information, giveaways, activities, and purchasable crafts)
Signal Akron (online news organization providing local news to local residents)
Community Action Akron Summit Head Start (Head Start Free Pre-School)
College Now Greater Cleveland (Free resource flyers, business cards, and some free swag)
CRPS Hope 4 a Cure (Bringing information, giveaways, activities, and selling crafts pertaining to CRPS)
The Freedom BLOC (The Black Led Organizing Collaborative (BLOC) was created to build black political power independent of the current two-party political apparatus)
Akron-Summit County Public Library (Library card sign up/rehab cards, give away library swag: pens, pencils, notepads etc.)
Summit County Historical Society (Summer camp activity information, John Brown and Underground Railroad information and displays, and a word Scrabble game activity)
METRO Regional Transit Authority (Promoting free fare weekends, giveaways and promotional items, and other information)
At 7 pm, head over to the Lock 3 Backyard for a free concert from The After Party, followed by The Dirty Dozen Brass Band!
Become an Event Sponsor
The 2024 Downtown Akron Juneteenth Celebration is presented by DAP in partnership with the City of Akron, Lock 3, and Akron Civic Theatre, with additional support from Knight Foundation, Ohio Arts Council, Akron Community Foundation, Akron Civic Commons, GAR Foundation, State and Federal Communications, and Heera Indian Cuisine.
