ADRIAN — Juneteenth, the annual celebration of freedom that commemorates the end of legalized slavery in the United States, will be celebrated in Adrian on Saturday, June 15, with a downtown festival organized by the Lenawee County NAACP.
Juneteenth marks the anniversary of the final enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation in Texas on June 19, 1865, following the end of the Civil War. It became a federal holiday in 2021.
A Juneteenth celebration has taken place in Adrian every year since 2018, although it was virtual in 2020.
Most of the festivities will take place from 1 to 8 p.m. in the 100 block of East Maumee Street, between Main and Broad Streets.
Live entertainment will take place throughout the day. The headline band is Soundproof. Area nonprofits will have informational tables set up, and there will be a bounce house for children.
Earlier in the day, a 3-on-3 basketball tournament for youth will take place at 119 N. Broad St., with registration starting at 8:30 a.m. and tipoff at 9 a.m.
The NAACP is sponsoring a blood drive with the American Red Cross from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Adrian District Library and will give a $25 gift card to anyone who completes a blood donation.
Juneteenth celebration
- Date and time: Saturday, June 15, from 1 to 8 p.m.
- Location: Downtown Adrian
- Cost: Free and open to the public
- More info: facebook.com/lenawee.naacp
