Recently, Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards made Juneteenth a state holiday and the federal government followed suit with efforts to make it a national holiday.
Juneteenth is a day celebrating June 19, 1865 when Union soldiers delivered the news to slaves in Galveston, Texas that the Civil War had ended and they were free. The Emancipation Proclamation had ended slavery two and half years prior.
With Juneteenth celebrations on a rise in Shreveport, I’m thrilled to share 10 Juneteenth events happening this weekend in Shreveport:
1. Attend the Juneteenth All Black Celebration for a Late-Night Outing.
Saturday, June 19 at 8 p.m.-1 a.m.
The event will take place 3151 North Market Street. Tickets are $25-$90. For more information about this event, click here.
2. Step into Daiquiri Paradise with the Juneteenth Financial Freedom Brunch and Day Party.
Saturday, June 19 at 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
This event will take place at Louisiana Daiquiri Café in downtown Shreveport. Tickets are $20-$35. For more information about this event, click here.
3. Add the Legendary 34th Annual Let the Good Times Roll Festival to You Must-Experience List.
June 18-20 at 4 p.m. to midnight
The event will take place at Festival Plaza in downtown Shreveport. Tickets are $15-$60. For more information about this event, click here.
4. Go to Shreveport-Bossier’s First All-Black Art Festival, Artish: Juneteenth Black Art Show.
Saturday, June 19 at 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
This event will take place at The Lot in downtown Shreveport. Tickets are $5. For more information about this event, click here.
5. Do it for the ‘Gram at the Black Girl Magic Museum.
The Black Girl Magic Museum is available every Saturday and Sunday through Labor Day Weekend.
This event will take place at The Standard, located at 509 Market Street in downtown Shreveport. Tickets are $15-$75. Tickets must be purchased 24 hours in advance. For more information about this event, click here.
6. Stroll Through Downtown Shreveport at the Inaugural Let the Good Times Freedom Ride.
Saturday, June 19 at 9 a.m.
This event is hosted by SB Rides, and the bike ride will begin at Festival Plaza. For more information about the event, click here.
7. Unwind at the Artipsy Vibes Juneteenth Celebration.
Saturday, June 19 at 7 p.m.-9 p.m.
This event will take place at Artipsy Wine and Arts Bar in downtown Shreveport. Admission is free. Click here for more information.
8. Go Witness the Juneteenth Celebration and Art Show by Bertha Harris.
Saturday, June 19 at 1 p.m.-6 p.m.
This event will take place at 624 Commerce Street in downtown Shreveport. Admission is free. For more information about this event, click here.
9. Watch a Short Film Premiere, Lumpy Grits Artistry Presents Electkra Film Screening.
Saturday, June 19, at 2p.m.-4 p.m.
This event will take place at the East Bank Theatre located inside the Bossier Arts Council in the East Bank District. Tickets begin at $15. For more information about the event, click here.
10. Discover the Heart and Soul of Black History and Culture at Southern University Museum of Art.
This experience is available year-round.
Click here to schedule a tour at Southern University Museum of Art, located at 610 Texas Street in downtown Shreveport. For more information on the museum, click here.
*BONUS* While You’re Out and About, Eat at Some of Shreveport’s Mouth-Watering, Black-Owned Restaurants.
Shreveport-Bossier’s Black-owned restaurant scene is rich in culture and history. The spicy, golden, Shreveport-style stuffed shrimp served at Eddie’s Restaurant, C & C Café, and Orlandeaux’s Caféhave roots dating back to the early 1920s. Hosea “Big D” Levingston has been serving fall-off-the-bone ribs and other smoked meat at Big D’s Bar-B-Que for more than 35 years. Anthony’s Steak & Seafood, known for their creamy potatoe au gratin and well-seasoned steaks, has been in business for nearly 30 years. There’s more where that came from, see the full list of Black-owned restaurants and experiential businesses in Shreveport by visiting www.ShreveportBlackRestaurants.com.
