Juneteenth in-person events return to Inland Empire

The events of Juneteenth this year are back in person as the Kingdom of Inland marks the end of slavery.

Last year’s activities included more virtual presentations, but most of the commemorations are returning to parks and community centers this year.

Juneteenth in 1865 marks the day Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas to tell slaves that the Civil War was over and they were free. It came two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation and more than two months after the war.

The name connects June and the nineteenth.

Here are highlights of planned programs in Riverside, San Bernardino and eastern Los Angeles counties.

Riverside County

corona

On Sunday, June 19, Corona’s twentieth event will feature music, raffles, games, Kids Corner and Father’s Day Poetry Contest.

The festival is held at Circle City Center, 365 N. Scheduled from 1 pm to 5 pm at Main St.

Information: CoronaJuneteenth@gmail.com

— Alison Varghese

Elsinore Lake

The Juneteenth Jubilee celebrations are scheduled for Saturday, June 18 at Lakepoint Park.

The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Park 420 Lakeshore Drive.

Info: Veronica Griffin or Jenny Robinson, 951-888-0511, SankofaForever1@gmail.com

— Alison Varghese

menu

The first Manifi Juneteenth Festival of Freedom and Excellence will take place on Saturday, June 18 at the Menifee Valley Campus of Mount San Jacinto College.

The free outdoor program will include a concert, food, vendors, arts and crafts, educational workshops, and children’s activities. This college is scheduled from 11am to 6pm at 28237 La Piedra Road, Menife. The parking lot is in D.

Information: www.menifeejuneteenth.com or menifeejuneteenth@gmail.com.

— Alison Varghese

moreno valley

The city will host its first Juneteenth celebration on Saturday, June 18, at the Civic Center Amphitheater.

The 2 p.m. event will include entertainment, food, children’s activities, artists, and resource booths. The amphitheater is at 14075 Frederick St., behind the convention and entertainment center.

Info: 951-413-3280 or moval.org/juneteenth

— Monserrat Solisso

temecula

The city’s Juneteenth celebration will include live entertainment, art, vendors, food and activities on Saturday, June 18.

Free events scheduled from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Town Square Park, 41000 Main St. in Old Town Temecula.

Information: https://temeculaca.gov/Juneteenth

— Alison Varghese

San Bernardino County

redlands

Redlands University’s Juneteenth events begin virtually on Wednesday, June 15, and continue in person on Friday, June 17 on campus.

Wednesday’s events include a flag ceremony, history presentations and a Black in STEM panel discussion. Friday’s events include food trucks in the Trousdale parking lot from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. and a Steps and Stroll exhibit outside the Glen Wallich Theater from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Reservations for Steps and Stroll can be made by emailing juneteenth@redlands.edu.

The campus is at 1200 E Colton Ave.

Information: redlands.edu/juneteenth

— Jennifer Iyer

redlands

A Juneth Day of celebration begins with a parade at Sylvan Park in the Redlands on Sunday, June 19 at 9 a.m.

The event will include a flag ceremony, poetry reading vendors, food and a beer garden. A church service led by Bishop Jackie Green of the Second Baptist Church of Redlands is scheduled for 11 a.m. A concert is scheduled for 1 to 8 p.m.

East Colton Avenue will remain closed between Church and University Streets, between Chapel Street, East High and East Colton Avenues, from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. The park is at 601 N. University St.

NOTICE: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/juneteenth-music-festival-tickets-322485913047.

— Jennifer Iyer

san bernardino

San Bernardino Valley College is hosting the June 18th Festival of Independence on Saturday, June 18.

The free event, scheduled from noon to 6 p.m., will take place in the auditorium and Greek Theater and will include performances, speakers, vendors, a children’s area, and other resources. The campus is at 701 S. Mount Vernon Ave.

Notice or Registration: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/juneteenth-a-celebration-of-freedom-tickets-315796725507

— Brian Whitehead

san bernardino

The second annual Juneteenth Soul Festival celebration is scheduled for Saturday, June 18 at San Manuel Stadium, 280 S. E. St.

The event is scheduled from noon to 6 p.m. and will include live entertainment, games, soul food vendors, and a marketplace to support local Black-owned businesses.

NOTICE: 909-252-2359.

— Brian Whitehead

Los Angeles County

Pomona

The African American Advisory Coalition in Pomona is hosting a freedom ride and ribbon cutting event on Monday, June 20.

Held from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., the event will begin at the African American Museum, 1460 W Holt Blvd., where cars will be decorated before heading to downtown Pomona. The parade will conclude at the Alliance Community Cultural Center, 406 W 2nd St., with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The event will highlight black creators and educators in the area, followed by a drum circle.

— Javier Rojasso