City Celebrates Juneteenth with Block Party and Flag Raising

Rochester, NY - Mayor Malik D. Evans invites the community to join in the City’s Juneteenth celebration 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Thursday, June 18, at Austin Steward Plaza, located along the Genesee Riverway Trail on State Street between E. Main and Andrews Streets.

Representatives from the City of Rochester Black Heritage Committee, Monroe County, the Juneteenth Festival, and the Juneteenth 5K will join Mayor Evans at 11 a.m. to kick off the festivities with a ceremonial flag raising.

“As we raise the Juneteenth flag and gather as a community, we honor the resilience, strength and determination of those who fought for freedom, and reaffirm our commitment to creating opportunities for all Rochester residents to thrive,” said Mayor Evans. “I invite everyone to come out to Austin Steward Plaza to celebrate the moment with great food, music and company.”

Participating food vendors include:

• Dar’s Delight Homemade Ice Cream

• Island in the Sun

• Rochester Kettle Corn

• Mr. Squeeze Beverages

• Everything iz Good

Attendees can also look forward to a Juneteenth-themed wrapped bus from RTS, live music by Paul Boutte and ROC Music students, and various community resource tables.

Juneteenth, officially observed on June 19, is a city and federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. It marks the date in 1865 when word of emancipation reached Texas, nearly two-and-a-half years after the Emancipation Proclamation.