Montgomery County Will Recognize ‘Juneteenth’ with Celebrations June 14 -21 – MocoFeed

Montgomery County will again celebrate “Juneteenth” with numerous events. The Federal and County governments recognize Thursday, June 19, as the official holiday. The County celebration will include events on Friday, June 20, and Saturday, June 21, in Germantown. The holiday honors June 19, 1865—the day Union soldiers arrived to take control of Texas and enforce the emancipation of slaves in the state. It was the last place in the U.S. to receive word of emancipation, which occurred more than two years earlier.

Juneteenth has been a Federal holiday in the U.S. since 2021. However, the day’s official status and how it is celebrated differ from state to state.

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Slavery in the U.S. can be traced back to the 16th Century when Spanish explorers brought African slaves with them to the New World. It lasted until the Emancipation Proclamation came into effect on Jan. 1, 1863. On that date, Texas was largely controlled by forces fighting for the Confederate States, which opposed the abolition of slavery.

On June 19, 1865, Union soldiers arrived to take control of Texas and enforce the emancipation of slaves in the state. In Galveston, Tx., the newly freed slaves held large public celebrations and so laid the base for future Juneteenth activities. The word “Juneteenth” resulted from the words ‘June Nineteenth’ being combined in speech.

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“It is more important than ever to recognize and celebrate Juneteenth this year, especially in light of efforts by the current administration to rewrite or erase key parts of our nation’s history,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “Juneteenth is a powerful reminder of the struggle for freedom and justice—a reminder that cannot and should not be ignored or diminished. While some seek to restrict how our history is taught and understood, Montgomery County will remain steadfast in our commitment to telling the full story. We will continue to honor the legacy of those who fought for emancipation and civil rights, and we will build on that legacy through our ongoing work to advance diversity, equity and inclusion. Our community is stronger, richer and more just because of our diversity—and that is something we will always celebrate and protect.”

The Montgomery County events celebrating Juneteenth will include:

• Montgomery County’s African American “Living Legend Awards.” Friday, June 20. 7 p.m. BlackRock Center for the Arts. 12901 Town Commons Drive, Germantown. Montgomery County will present “Living Legend Awards” to six African American community leaders. This year’s awards ceremony, which will be part of the County’s 28th Annual Juneteenth celebration, has a theme of “Pushing Back—The Fight for Freedom is Not Over.” The 2025 award recipients, all 75 or older, are being honored for their lifelong dedication to service, advocacy and selfless acts of kindness. The public is invited to the awards ceremony. The event is free to attend.
• Montgomery County’s 28th Juneteenth Celebration: Pushing Back—The Fight for Freedom is Not Over.” Saturday, June 21. Noon-10 p.m. BlackRock Center for the Arts. 12901 Town Commons Drive, Germantown. Celebration will include concerts and performances, cultural conversation, a vinyl record fair, a bustling artisan’s market showcasing unique handmade goods and food from local vendors. Parking near the BlackRock Center is limited. Offsite parking: Ride On will provide shuttle buses regularly from Montgomery College (Germantown) and Seneca Valley High School from 11 a.m.-11 p.m. (NOTE: Towing will be enforced in the Safeway parking lot). The event is free, but there are costs associated with purchasing food and beverages.
• Josiah Henson Museum and Park Family Day . Saturday, June 14. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Josiah Henson Museum and Park. 11410 Old Georgetown Road, North Bethesda. Parking is available at the nearby Wall Local Park, 5900 Executive Blvd. Celebrate Juneteenth by visiting the museum dedicated to abolitionist Josiah Henson. Henson was born into slavery in Maryland and eventually escaped to freedom in Canada. Once free, he served as a conductor on the Underground Railroad, helping others to freedom. The Josiah Henson Museum and Park is on the site of a plantation where Henson was once held in bondage. Self-guided tours and hands-on displays help visitors experience Henson’s story in his own words. Free.
• Kensington’s Fourth Annual Juneteenth Celebration. Saturday, June 14. Noon-4 p.m. St. Paul Park, 10564 St. Paul St., Kensington. A family-friendly event with activities for all ages. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs. More information available at kensingtonjuneteenth.com . Free.
• Scotland Juneteenth Heritage Festival Opening Night Celebration. Saturday, June 14. Bethesda Theater, 7719 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda. The Scotland Juneteenth Heritage Festival will kick off with a powerful evening of music, dance and celebration. This year’s celebration will feature gospel artist Erica Campbell, along with the Howard University Gospel Choir. Festivities will also feature performances by Step Afrika! And The Hardway Connection. Doors open at 5:45 p.m. Showtime is 6:30-9:30 p.m. Tickets are $30-55. More information is available at Scotland Juneteenth Heritage Festival Opening Night Celebration .
• The Annual Scotland Juneteenth Heritage Festival and Children’s Carnival . Thursday, June 19. 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Cabin John Regional Park, 7400 Tuckerman Lane, Bethesda. Cabin John Regional Park will be alive with a children’s carnival, food court, Juneteenth parade and petting zoo. Montgomery Parks co-sponsors the event. More details are available at Juneteenth Scotland . Admission $5.
• Scotland Juneteenth Heritage Festival 5K Road Race and Family 1-Mile Run. Thursday, June 19. 8 a.m. start at Bells Mill Elementary, 8225 Bells Mill Road, Bethesda. Race will traverse the historic Black neighborhood of Scotland, including the 100-year-old Scotland AME Zion Church on Seven Locks Road in Potomac. Road race entry fee is $41. Family 1-Mile Walk fee is $23. More information, including registration, can be found at Scotland Juneteenth 5K (runsignup.com) .
• Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park . 16501 Norwood Road, Sandy Spring. Thursday, June 19. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Visit the Woodlawn Museum to learn about Montgomery County’s agricultural history, enslaved and free Black communities and the Quaker experience. The museum, located in a historic stone barn, features three floors of self-guided tours. The Underground Railroad Experience Trail  will be available for self-guided walking tours. Adult admission: $5. Seniors (55-and-over) and children (6-17): $4. The Woodlawn Manor House will be closed. Tickets are available onsite.
• Clarence “Pint” Isreal Baseball Classic. Shirley Povich Field at Cabin John Regional Park, 10600 Westlake Drive, Bethesda. Step back in time and celebrate a local cherished tradition featuring a game between the Cal Ripken Sr. Collegiate Baseball League’s Gaithersburg Giants and Bethesda Big Train. The Big Train players will wear Eagles jerseys to honor the 1954 Scotland Eagles from the era of Montgomery’s Black Sandlot games. Gates open at 5 p.m. Tickets at bigtrain.org/individual-tickets .
• Scotland Heritage Festival Fireworks. Shirley Povich Field at Cabin John Regional Park, 10600 Westlake Drive, Bethesda. As the sun sets, gather for an evening of tailgating, community spirit and fireworks. No tickets or registration required.