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Honoring Juneteenth: Events in and around the Quad Cities

The Quad Cities has numerous events celebrating Juneteenth, the oldest known celebration of the end of slavery. Here's some of the best events around the region.

DAVENPORT, Iowa — Juneteenth is coming up on Wednesday and the Quad Cities has numerous events taking place to recognize the federal holiday. It is the oldest known celebration of slavery's ending and while the specific date is June 19, many celebrate and recognize the holiday throughout the month. 

"The observance of June 19 as Black Emancipation Day commemorates freedom and emphasizes education and achievement," according to the National Association of Black Journalists.

In Galveston, Texas on June 19, 1865, federal troops set free the remaining enslaved African Americans. The news of freedom came a little over two years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. 

"More than 250,000 African Americans embraced freedom by executive decree in what became known as Juneteenth or Freedom Day," according to the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Juneteenth was made a federal holiday in 2021.

Here's a list of Juneteenth events happening in and around the Quad Cities. 

Did we miss an event? Let us know by emailing our newsroom with a short description of the event. The more info, the better! 

2024 Quad City Juneteenth Community Festival 

Date & Time: Saturday, June 15 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

Location: LeClaire Park, 400 Biederbecke Dr. in Davenport

Cost: Free to attend; Donations can be provided at The Friends of MLK's website.

The Friends of MLK and The Lincoln Resource Center will be hosting their annual Juneteenth Community Festival this weekend. Festivities include food, vendors, local and national history information, resource booths and live entertainment, along with presenting this year's Miss Juneteenth

News 8's Shelby Kluver spoke with Tracey Singleton on The Current about the event. Singleton has been a leader in organizing the festival for years and serves as the executive director at The Lincoln Center. You can catch her full interview in the video below. 

Rhythm on the River

Date & Time: Saturday, June 15 at 6 p.m.

Location: LeClaire Park, 400 Biederbecke Dr. in Davenport

Cost: Free admission; reserved seating near the stage available for $25

Presented by The Lincoln Center and Common Chord, this event will highlight Black musicians in the Quad Cities and beyond. This year, Rhythm on the River is teaming up with the Quad City Juneteenth Festival and both events will be right on the river at LeClaire Park. After the festival ends at 4 p.m., attendees can get ready for some live music shortly after at 6 p.m. Food trucks are available but attendees are able to bring their own food and drinks, just no alcohol. Minimal seating is available so organizers recommend bringing chairs and blankets. A pop-up/tent area will be available as well. 

Artists include Quad City native Ashley Dean, Jerry Johnson & The Voices of the QC Gospel Choir and The Voices, a Chicago-based band offering a "Tribute to Motown."

Juneteenth Cultural Arts Festival

Date & Time: Saturday, June 15, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Location: Clinton Park, S. Fourth Street in Clinton (by the Central Fire Station)

Cost: Free admission

Head over to Clinton for an evening of art, music, dancing, games, giveaways and community with the Vince Jetter Community Center. The Juneteenth Cultural Arts Festival aims to celebrate Black culture and history through the arts. Catch a drum performance from Mujaahid African Drum Ensemble, a live painting session with Isaiah "Zay" Williams and a performance from the Ebony Illusion Dance Team. 

News 8's Shelby Kluver spoke with Vince Jetter Community Center Director Tamra Jetter about the event and the importance it holds in the community. You can find her interview in the video below. 

Honor the 108th United States Colored Troops Regiment at Rock Island National Cemetery

Date & Time: Wednesday, June 19 @ 10 a.m.

Location: Rock Island National Cemetery

Cost: Free

In observance of Juneteenth, the Quad Cities community is invited to honor the 108th United States Colored Troops Infantry. The regiment had 980 men, most of whom were formerly enslaved in Kentucky. 

During the Civil War, they guarded Confederate prisoners of war at the Rock Island Prison Barracks, which is now the site of the Rock Island Arsenal. 50 men in the regiment died throughout the eight months they were there and are buried at Rock Island National Cemetery. 

Attendees will hear from speakers, live music, poetry and stories of the men told by their descendants. Attendees should enter Arsenal Island through the Moline gate and leave extra time to obtain a pass onto the island. Lawn chairs are encouraged. 

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