There are many public events and celebrations going on in Salt Lake and surrounding communities to celebrate Juneteenth in Utah this year. Juneteenth commemorates the date that the abolition of slavery was finally announced in Texas more than 2 years after the official signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. A holiday officially recognized by the United States and the State of Utah, it is a celebration of the black community, and of resilience and joy. Many of the local events are organized by the Ogden-based Project Success Coalition, and activities range from the solemn - recognition of Black military service members, participation in the Lynching Memorial Soil Collection Project - to the celebratory - Children's Festival, Barber Battle & Crowns Braid Battle, Skate Night, Juneteenth with REAL Salt Lake. With events happening in Ogden, Layton, Sandy, Millcreek, and Salt Lake stretching from June 10th through the 27th, you should check out some of the great happenings going on nearby.
Annual State of Black Utah Town Hall
June 10th - 5:30 pm-8:00 pm
Weber State University, Davis Campus - 2750 University Park Blvd., Layton, UT 84041
Presented by the Utah Black Roundtable, this kick-off to Utah Juneteenth will honor Black people in the military. There will be several speakers, the premiere of the Utah Black Veterans Exhibit, a video presentation, song, and refreshments. Details here.
Lynching Memorial Soil Collection Project
June 11th - 10:00 am-1:00 pm
South Steps of Utah State Capitol Building - 350 State St., Salt Lake, UT 84103
The Sema Hadithi African American Heritage & Culture Foundation in partnership with the Equal Justice Initiative of Alabama will host this soil collection ceremony at the sites of two racial lynchings. Local African American leaders and Utah political officials will gather at sites of the murders of Mr. Thomas Coleman (1866) and Mr. William ("Sam Joe") Harvey (1883). A memorial ceremony will be held, and soil will be collected in jars to send to The National Memorial for Peace & Justice in Montgomery, Alabama. Details here.
Juneteenth Children's Day Festival
June 11th - 2:00 pm-7:00 pm
Columbus Center - 2531 South 400 East, Salt Lake, UT 84115
This joyful event at the Columbus Community Center will feature face painting, music, performances, games, crafts, a reptile show, and more! Find out more here.
Juneteenth Brunch
June 12th, 2022 - 12:00 pm
SpyHop Rooftop - 208 West 900 South, Salt Lake, UT 84101
Celebrate in style on one of Salt Lake's coolest and newest venues, the SpyHop Rooftop in the heart of the Salt Lake's Granary/Ballpark district.
National Flag Day, Juneteenth Flag Raising (Salt Lake City)
June 14th, 2022 - 11:00 am
Washington Square Park - 451 South State Street, Salt Lake, UT 84111
Juneteenth Flag Raising (Salt Lake County)
June 17th, 2022 - 11:30 am-12:30 pm
Salt Lake County Government Center - 2001 South State Street, Salt Lake, UT 84190
Juneteenth Welcome Reception
June 17th, 2022 - 6:00 pm-11:00 pm
Copper Nickel - 2450 Grant Avenue, Ogden, UT 84401
Utah Juneteenth Celebration
June 18th, 2022 - Noon-9:00 pm
Ogden City Amphitheater - 343 East 25th St., Ogden, UT 84401
Proclaimed Utah's Juneteenth Headquarters, this is where many events will be happening to celebrate Juneteenth-style all day long. Featuring live music (R&B, jazz, hip hop, church choirs, more), spoken word performance, a health and wellness pavilion, Kids Fun Zone, games, film festival, food, and more.
3rd Annual Golden Clipper Barber Battle & Crowns Braid Battle
June 19th, 2022 - Noon-7:00 pm
Ogden City Amphitheater - 343 East 25th St., Ogden, UT 84401
Millcreek First Annual Juneteenth Celebration and Skate Night with MCPP, UBLAC, & NSOUL
June 19th, 2022 - 5:00 pm-10:00 pm
1354 Chambers Avenue, Millcreek, UT 84106
Juneteenth Celebration with REAL Salt Lake
June 18th, 2022
Rio Tinto Stadium - 9256 South State St., Sandy, UT 84070
Even more events:
- Juneteenth Day of Freedom Summit
June 15th, 9:00 am-4:00 pm
University of Utah, Spencer Fox Eccles Business Building - 1655 East Campus Center Drive, Salt Lake, UT 84112 - County Library Juneteenth Festival
June 18th, 4:00 pm-9:00 pm
Viridian Event Center - 8030 South 1825 West, West Jordan, UT 84088 - Salt Lake Juneteenth Celebration & Black Owned Business Expo
June 20th, 12:00 pm-10:00 pm
The Gateway - 18 North Rio Grande St., Salt Lake, UT 84101 - Utah Juneteenth Holiday Health & Wellness Expo - National Sickle Cell Day
June 20th, Noon-7:00 pm
Gallivan Center - 239 South Main St., Salt Lake, UT 84111 - Excellence in Community Gospel Choir
June 20th, 7:00 pm-8:30 pm
Gallivan Center - 239 South Main St., Salt Lake, UT 84111 - Learning, Preserving & Telling the Stories of Juneteenth
June 21st, 9:00 am
John R Park Building, 201 Presidents Circle, Salt Lake, UT 84112 - Juneteenth Black Women's Mural Project Unveiling
With Better Days Utah & Semi Hadithi Foundation
June 27th
444 East 600 South, Salt Lake, UT 84111 - Juneteenth Beloved Community Vigil
June 30th, 6:00 pm-7:30 pm
International Peace Gardens - 1160 Dalton Avenue, Salt Lake, UT 84104
Get out there and celebrate the Black community this Juneteenth!
