Juneteenth

Battle Creek

June 16 & 17, 2023

Claude Evans Park
300 N Washington Ave,
Battle Creek, MI 49037

FREE FAMILY EVENT

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2023 Highlights

Two Day Celebration!

The celebration of Juneteenth began on June 19th, 1865, in Galveston TX. Juneteenth is a celebration that commemorates African American Freedom and the ending of slavery in the United States of America. In 2003, Battle Creek started Juneteenth celebrations, initiated by the Battle Creek NAACP. In 2005, Juneteenth became a State of Michigan holiday, designating the 3rd Saturday in June, as Juneteenth National Freedom Day. In 2021, Juneteenth was officially designated as a federal holiday and on March 1, 2022, the City of Battle Creek added Juneteenth as an official city holiday in Battle Creek.

The Battle Creek Juneteenth Celebration Committee and the Southwestern Michigan Urban League announced in 2009 for the first time a combined event, which became Juneteenth Family Day. We are very excited to offer this celebration to the community in recognition of Juneteenth, families and especially the youth of Battle Creek.

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

Queen Ramonda, Shuri, M’Baku, Okoye and the Dora Milaje fight to protect their nation from intervening world powers in the wake of King T’Challa’s death. As the Wakandans strive to embrace their next chapter, the heroes must band together with Nakia and Everett Ross to forge a new path for their beloved kingdom.

Free Popcorn provided by sponsor, Tony Iovieno
Free Pizza provided by sponsor, Calhoun County Veterans Affairs

Additional Concessions will be sold by the Juneteenth Family Day Celebration Committee.

Friday – June 16, 2023
Claude Evans Park

Dusk

Juneteenth Family Day

  • 11:00 am until gone – FREE Hot dogs, chips and punch
  • 11:00 am – 6:00 pm – Health Equity Expo
  • 11:00 am – 12:00 pm – Morning Movement with Studio M, Battle Creek Family Y Center and Karma House
  • 12:00 – 4:00 pm – Kids Korner
  • 12:00 -12:45 pm – Opening Program
    • Welcome, opening remarks
    • Invocation
    • Black National Anthem
    • Acknowledgement of Community Leaders, Elected Officials, Candidates & Clergy
    • History of Juneteenth & Family Day
    • Community Service Awards
    • Acknowledgements
  • 12:50 – Lakeview High School Step Team
  • 1:00 pm – Bobby Holley Bike Giveaway (children ages 7-12)
  • 1:30 pm – Sojourner Truth Choir
  • 1:45 pm – Elite Dance Center Hip Hop
  • 2:00-2:45 pm and 3:00-3:45 pm – Tony Fields and Doug Decker (two – 45 minute sets)
  • 2:45 pm – Love Kianna
  • 2:50 pm – Kameilah
  • 3:45 pm – Family Hustle Time
  • 4:00 pm – Blvcksheep featuring Jaz Bolar and The Allah

Performance times are subject to change

BE SURE TO BRING YOUR OWN LAWN CHAIR AND/OR BLANKET

Saturday – June 17, 2023
Claude Evans Park

11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Family Day Vendors

See everyone who’s coming to the event!

Food Vendors
  • Appetizers Etc!
  • Big Moe’s BBQ
  • Chef N’ Ultimate Catering & Carryout
  • Ciao Bella Chocolat
  • Confection Perfection
  • Cute as Can Bee by Cailee B.
  • Desserts by Tammi
  • Finley’s Grill & Smokehouse
  • Holy Smoke BBQ
  • Hot Rod Grille
  • Island Style BBQ
  • Juz Dezzertz
  • Locos Tacos
  • Mae’s Restaurant
  • Miss Cookie’s Kitchen
  • Pop’s Family Kitchen
  • Skinny Kenny’s BBQ
  • Sno Qones
  • Southern Style BBQ
  • Thickums Sweets
Information Vendors
  • A. Philip Randolph Institute
  • Battle Creek Public Schools
  • Calhoun County Democratic Party
  • Calhoun County ISD Early Childhood Connections
  • Calhoun County Land Bank Authority
  • Calhoun County Prosecuter’s Office
  • Calhoun County Republican Party
  • Calhoun County Veterans Affairs
  • City of Battle Creek
  • Community Action Head Start
  • Fort Custer National Cemetary
  • Greater Works Ministries
  • Kalamazoo River Watershed Council
  • Kellogg Community College
  • Lakeview School District
  • League of Women Voters-Calhoun County Unit
  • Masterpiece Creation Church
  • Neighborhoods Inc. of Battle Creek (NIBC)
  • Pink Ribbon Sisterhood
  • S.A.F.E. Place
  • Second Missionary Baptist Church
  • The Haven of Rest
  • Uwezo Swahili Community Introduction
  • Willard Library
  • BC Coalition for Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation
  • Bronson Cancer Center
  • Bronson Healthcare
  • Calhoun County Public Health Department
  • CareWell Services Southwest
  • Cereal City Sunrise Rotary Club
  • Connecting Communities Cancer Control Coalition (5C)
  • Sexual Assault Services – Bronson Battle Creek
  • Summit Pointe
  • Southwertern Michigan Urban League 
  • Southwertern Michigan Urban League – African American Collaborative
  • Southwertern Michigan Urban League – Health Initiative
Retail Vendors
  • Bo Mosley
  • Sheena Standback
  • Battle Creek Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
  • Battle Creek Pride
  • Broadway & Bling Jewelry (Paparazzi)
  • CannaVibes Emporium
  • Cereal City Nutrition
  • Glow Up We Keep Lit LLC
  • Heavenly/Military Hats
  • Legit Custom Creations
  • Meaningful Massage
  • Mountain Lily’s Gifts
  • Next Level Barbershop BC
  • Outreach Services of America
  • TJ’s Oils
  • Wisterni

Health Equity Expo Information

Click the button below to find out more information about the Health Equity Expo happeing June 17 from 11:00 am – 6:00 pm at Juneteenth Family Day.

HEALTH EQUITY EXPO

More Ways to Celebrate Juneteenth!

Find more ways to celebrate Juneteenth in the surrounding areas!

More Juneteenth Events

2023 Community Service Awardees

– Blvcksheep
– Pink Ribbon Sisterhood
– Willard Library – The Librarians
– Dr. L.E. Johnson – Southwestern MI Urban League
– Jenasia Morris, City Commissioner, Ward 2

A Special Thank You to the Following Sponsors:

The J.E.C.K.S. Fund

Kathy Antaya

Stan and Shirley Tuggle

Samuel Gray and Lynn Ward Gray

Wayne Kukuk and Christine Kosmowski

Meaningful Massage

Linda Pell

Victor and Deboraha Sallee

SPONSORING IN PARTNERSHIP