In observance of Juneteenth, Golden Valley City offices will be closed Wednesday, June 19, and a Golden Valley-based community organization is hosting two celebration events.
Juneteenth is a federal holiday recognizing the emancipation of enslaved Africans/African Americans from Texas in 1865, which was two years after the federal emancipation that occurred in 1863. In June 2021, President Joe Biden signed a bill making Juneteenth the 11th American federal holiday, and in Febuary 2023, Govenor Tim Walz signed a bill recognizing Juneteenth as a Minnesota state holiday.
Local Events
Of the numerous Juneteenth celebrations happening around the Twin Cities, two are presented by Golden Valley's Sweet Potato Comfort Pie (SPCP).
SPCP's Fourth Annual Celebration of the Juneteenth Jubilee
Join SPCP at the Loppet Foundation's Trailhead June 14, 4–6 pm, to make traditional or non-traditional sweet potato pies. This is not a competition, but rather a showcase for telling your "pie story." Participants will share the cultural and personal histories behind their unique recipes. The event is open to all pie bakers!
Kumbaya—The Juneteenth Story
This fictional play addresses a factual and traumatic time in history when news was deliberately withheld that Black people were no longer to be kept as slaves in this country. Performances will be June 21, 11 am, at Northrop and June 28, 9:30 am and 12:15 pm, at Capri Theater.
More information on these events can be found on the SPCP website.