Growing up, I never celebrated Juneteenth. I knew what it was but it wasn’t something we celebrated in Florida really. To put y’all up to speed, the holiday celebrates the day Texas finally emancipated its enslaved after all the other Confederate states had done so already. Celebrating Juneteenth is becoming more popular and less of just a Texas thing like I thought previously. Now, you’ll find all kinds of events from historical to regular ol’ BBQ’s where Black folks can just sit back and relax.

Juneteenth is this weekend and there are a number of ways to celebrate. Here’s where to celebrate Juneteenth in Tampa Bay:

7th and Grove

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Live music and complimentary Jack Daniels Apple cocktails on deck while we all get a little history lesson. 6/18 6 p.m.-9 p.m. $7-10 for tickets. 1930 7th Ave., Tampa, 813-649-8422. 7thandgrove.com.

Best Richardson African Diaspora Museum & Books

 

Join them for their 1st annual Juneteenth event with live music, food, poetry readings, a book sale and more. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 1463 Tampa Park Plaza St Unit A, Tampa, 813-944-2112. bradlcmuseum.com.

 

Build-A-Shirt Custom T-Shirt Emporium

Juneteenth Freedom Market. Bring the entire family to the 2021 Juneteenth Freedom Market. Shop Tampa Bay’s Black-Owned businesses while enjoying live music, food trucks, and giveaways. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. 1817 W Sligh Ave., Tampa.

 

City of Tampa Government

Join Mayor Jane Castor and the Tampa Bay Juneteenth Coalition for a historic flag raising ceremony to celebrate and recognize Juneteenth. Other events are scheduled throughout the weekend Starts at 10 a.m. on Friday, June 18. 306 E Jackson St., Tampa, 813-274-8211. tampa.gov.

 

Dashiki in the City

Kick off the Juneteenth weekend with watching the Miss Juneteenth movie in the park surrounded by Black-owned businesses followed by the Freedom Day Fete outdoor market with Black American, Caribbean, and African elements. Movie night is 6/18 6 p.m.-9 p.m., the outdoor market is 6/19 1 p.m.-7 p.m. 833 22nd St. S., St. Petersburg. eventbrite.com.

 

Feed Your Soul Fest

Get a Soul Meal with some Soul Music and a Soul Message. This is an outdoor festival with several live acts.  Tickets are $35-50. 8 p.m.-11 p.m. 5818 Causeway Blvd., Tampa. eventbrite.com.

 

Meeyogi Wellness

The Tampa Heights Cultural Fest is an explosion of live music, arts, wellness, and food. Family- and pet-friendly too. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. 2005 N Lamar Ave., Tampa. eventbrite.com.

 

R.O.C The Block Festival

The local community is invited out to the Tampa Bay Juneteenth Festival. Shop products and services while enjoying a block party with live music and plenty of food. $10-35. Noon-6 p.m. 4201 N Dale Mabry Hwy Lot 3, Tampa, 813-694-361. eventbrite.com.

 

Royal Bridal 

The market features authentic fashions and accessories from Africa. Come and support other black-owned businesses at the curated pop-up shop. Noon-6 p.m., 720 W MLK Blvd Suite B, Tampa, 813-586-4809. eventbrite.com. 

 

Shuffle

A Juneteenth celebration with lots of live music and a special food menu. Starts at 5 p.m. 2612 N Tampa St., Tampa. 813-450-3797. shuffletampa.com. 

 

Tampa Garden Club

The AfroCAN Fest is a summertime celebration of Juneteenth with live entertainment, art, and dining options from Black culinary artists by the waterfront. Proceeds from the night support nonprofit Touring Mentors, Inc. Tickets $25-65. 6:19 p.m.- 10:19 p.m. 2629 Bayshore Blvd., Tampa. eventbrite.com.

The Factory St. Pete

The Juneteenth Jubilee is celebration of Black liberation and expression. Featured artists include Zulupainter, Before The Storm Studios, Saudade Toxosi, and Eden’s Muse. Live music acts include ONLYONETWO, Queen of Ex, and DJ Gay-Z. 10 p.m.-2 a.m. 2622 Fairfield Ave. S., St. Petersburg. thefactorystpete.com.

 

The Unity Garden

The Urban Progress Alliance’s Juneteenth Love Feast celebrates and uplifts the progress in Black communities from emancipation to now at their new Unity Garden in West Tampa. There will be music from West Tampa’s KIRU-Radio, food, and door prizes. 5 p.m.-7 p.m. 2307 Beach St., Tampa.

 

Thyme and Bloom

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Support local small businesses and shop the food pantry during their 1st  Juneteenth Community Day! There’s also giveaways and snacks…who wouldn’t love that?! 11 a.m.-4 p.m. 4202 W Waters Ave., Tampa, 813-964-9896. thymeandbloom.com.

 

Women of Color Golf

A golf mixer to celebrate those who came before and the future. The event is inside and outside with golf games, food, and drinks. $40.5 p.m.-7 p.m. 7911 N 30th St., Tampa. eventbrite.com.