City of Bloomington to Host Annual Juneteenth Celebration at Switchyard Park

The City of Bloomington invites the public to attend a vibrant Juneteenth celebration from 2 to 9 p.m. Friday, June 13,  at Switchyard Park, 1601 S. Rogers St. This free, family-friendly event honors the history, resilience, and culture of Black Americans with an afternoon and evening of celebration, reflection, and community.

Juneteenth—also known as Freedom Day, Emancipation Day and Jubilee Day—commemorates the ending of slavery in the United States. The holiday marks the historic moment on June 19, 1865, when Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, to proclaim the freedom of enslaved Black Americans, more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. Long celebrated by Black communities, Juneteenth became the 11th official federal holiday in 2021, recognizing its enduring importance in American history.

This year’s celebration will feature live entertainment beginning at 6:10 p.m. with DJ Darran Mosley, followed by a performance by Troy Thomas and Trumusiq at 7:15 p.m. Guests are invited to explore a vibrant vendor market featuring Black-owned businesses, enjoy a variety of food options from food truck vendors, and take part in health and wellness services provided on-site by the Bloomington Fire Department’s Mobile Integrated Health and Indiana University Hoosier Health Check teams.

All activities will take place outdoors at Switchyard Park. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or picnic blankets and enjoy a meaningful celebration of freedom, culture, and unity. 

For more information, visit the City of Bloomington Juneteenth webpage at bloomington.in.gov/Juneteenth