Knoxville Celebrates Juneteenth

Several community organizations are hosting Juneteenth events, including:

Cherokee Health System hosts Juneteenth Celebration: Taste and See the History on Saturday, June 15, at 10 a.m. Dr. Eboni Winford will guide a one-mile walk starting behind Cherokee’s East Knox Health Center located next to Dr. Walter Hardy Park (1917 Bethel Ave). Participants will learn about Knoxville’s Black history, making brief stops at the Beck Cultural Exchange Center and Doctor’s Row. After the walk, a Community Celebration will begin at 10:30 a.m. at Dr. Walter Hardy Park. Soul food tasting and refreshments will be available as well as special performance by the group Drums Up, Guns Down. Visit CHS’s website  for more information.

East Tennessee History Center helps young people and their families learn more about Juneteenth on Monday, June 17, 10:30-11:30 a.m., at the East Tennessee History Museum, 601 S. Gay St. The Little History Lessons is a program for preschoolers. Members and children under 16 are free. Go to the History Center’s website to reserve your spot.

Knoxville’s MLK Commemorative Commission hosts the 2024 MLK March/Parade and Juneteenth Celebration on Wednesday, June 19. This will be a celebration of freedom and heritage! The parade will commence at 10 a.m. at Chilhowee Park, 3301 E Magnolia Ave, and conclude at 11 a.m. at Dr. Walter Hardy Park, 1917 Bethel Avenue, site of the Juneteenth Celebration, which will feature an array of vendors, live performances, and activities for kids.

Beck Cultural Exchange Center hosts a Juneteenth Commemoration on Wednesday, June 19, at 1927 Dandridge Avenue, with Knoxville Black history exhibits, children’s art workshops, and oral history experience from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. A Young Adult Town Hall will be held at 4 p.m. Taste of Soul Food event begins at 5 p.m., and the Tennessee Black Caucus meeting, including Chairperson State Rep. Sam McKenzie, is 5:30-7 p.m.