Celebrating Juneteenth and Pride in our Great Lakes Bay Region
Juneteenth (June 19th) marks the day when federal troops arrived in Galveston, TX in 1865, two and a half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation, to ensure all enslaved people were freed.
June is also Pride month, commemorating the Stonewall riots which were a catalyst for the gay rights movement in the United States and around the world.
Freedom and equality are worth celebrating, and there’s no better way to celebrate than in community. I encourage you to share in these celebrations at any of the many opportunities happening across our Great Lakes Bay Region.
Kristen McDonald Rivet
State Senator, District 35
(517) 373-1725
PO Box 30036
Lansing, MI. 48909
SenKMcDonaldRivet@senate.michigan.gov
Bay City
2nd Annual Freedom Day & Health Fair
WHEN: Sunday, June 18 – Monday, June 19, 2023, from 11 am – 8 pm
WHERE: Wenonah Park, 111 Center Avenue, Bay City
Celebrate Freedom, Good Health, and Wellness. Live entertainment, youth movie, & other family fun; health vendors, screening and information, COVID-19 and flu vaccines and booster shots; food court. The event is hosted by NAACP Bay City Branch and is free and open to the public.
>>Click here for more information.
Midland
2nd Annual Juneteenth Block Party
WHEN: Sunday, June 18, 2023, from 2 – 5 pm
WHERE: Creative 360, 1517 Bayliss St., Midland
Community and fun; family-friendly activities, free food & entertainment; connect to honor the past and understand the present. This event is hosted by Midland Area Inclusion Alliance, The Breaking Bread Village, and Creative 360.
>>Click here for more information.
Saginaw
Juneteenth Story Time and Art Encounter
WHEN: Saturday, June 17, 2023, from 1 – 4 pm
WHERE: Saginaw Art Museum, 1126 N Michigan Ave, Saginaw, MI 48602
The Saginaw Art Museum will host a free Juneteenth-themed story time in their garden and lead participants in an Art Encounter, in cooperation with the Public Libraries of Saginaw. In case of inclement weather, story time will be inside galleries.
>>Click here for more information.
Juneteenth Freedom Parade
WHEN: Saturday, June 17, 2023, from 11 am – 12 pm
The parade route will start at Hoyt Park, travel along Washington Avenue, and end at the Old Farmers Market. Free and open to the Public.
Juneteenth Festival
WHEN: Saturday, June 17, 2023, from 12 – 4 pm
WHERE: Morley Plaza, 133 N Washington Ave, Saginaw, MI 48607
Food and entertainment. Free and open to the public.
Juneteenth BBQ Cook-Off
WHEN: Saturday, June 17 – Sunday, June 18, 2023, from 1 – 6:30 pm
WHERE: Juneteenth Cultural Center and Museum, 1315 N 5th Ave, Saginaw, MI 48601
Food, games and entertainment. Free and open to the public.
The Paid Artist Musical Festival
WHEN: Saturday, June 17, 2023, from 8 pm – 2 am
WHERE: Hamilton Street Pub, 308 S Hamilton St, Saginaw, MI 48602
Free and open to the public.
>>For additional information on events in Saginaw, click here.
Bay City
Great Lakes Bay Pride Festival
WHEN: Saturday, June 24, 2023, from 11 am – 6 pm
WHERE: Wenonah Park, 111 Center Ave, Bay City, MI 48708
A welcoming and inclusive festival bringing together our region’s LGBTQ+ community, allies, friends, and families; children’s activity area; retail vendors; community resource partners; live entertainment; health screenings.