Juneteenth events in Iowa

Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration that commemorates the June 19th, 1865 announcement of the abolition of slavery in the United States of America. The Iowa Juneteenth Observance has been in existence for 29 years, and was founded by Gary Lawson in 1990. On April 11, 2002 the Iowa Juneteenth holiday was made an official holiday. For more information about Juneteenth, click here.

Here's a list of Juneteenth events in Iowa. Know of a Juneteenth event that isn't listed? Let us know about it!

• Thursday, June 13: Community Builders Appreciation Banquet at Drake University's Olmsted Center

• Friday, June 14 - Saturday, June 15: Juneteenth Celebration in Cedar Rapids at the AAMI and Viola Gibson Park

• Friday, June 14 - Saturday, June 15: Juneteenth Celebration at Sullivan Memorial Park in Waterloo

• Saturday, June 15: Urban Parade and Neighbor's Day at Evelyn Davis Park

• Saturday, June 15: Quad City Juneteenth Festival at Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds

• Saturday, June 22: 9th Annual Juneteenth Commemoration at Mercer Park in Iowa City