Celebrate Juneteenth in
Harriet Tubman’s Chosen Hometown

Juneteenth (June 19) observe the 1866 date that marked the emancipation of enslaved African Americans, and it is a time of nationwide celebration. Also called “Freedom Day,” Juneteenth is an excellent opportunity to acknowledge and spotlight those who are making important strides in uplifting Black individuals.

Cayuga County in Auburn, NY is where Harriet Tubman chose to live after emancipating herself from slavery – which makes it the perfect destination to explore and partake in the month-long jubilation. (And don’t just take our word for it: Auburn was named a top destination to celebrate #Juneteenth by U.S. News and World Report!)

In this blog, we’re sharing several commemorative Juneteenth activities taking place in Cayuga County, as well as ways you can support and learn more about past and present Black leaders and entrepreneurs – so mark your calendars!

Celebrations

Proclamation and Parade: The City of Auburn will officially recognize and celebrate Juneteenth on Saturday, June 15, beginning with a ceremony and proclamation at 11:00 a.m. at City Hall. Stick around to watch the Juneteenth parade kickoff around 11:20 a.m. Spend the rest of the day at Booker T. Washington Community Center, with food, music, vendors and kid-friendly activities. There will even be a Miss Juneteenth Scholarship Pageantry Program, where young ladies (ages 13-18) will showcase their talents and develop a sense of self-confidence and pride.

Explore Cayuga’s outdoors and connect with GirlTrek: Maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle is paramount for African Americans, and there are many Black influencers who have made it their mission to help this community achieve this goal. T. Morgan Dixon and Vanessa Garrison recognized the importance of making this goal achievable, inspiring them to create GirlTrek: Healthy Black Women and Girls – an organization whose mission is to empower Black women to get active. (Fun facts: GirlTrek has partnered with Cayuga County during commemorative events celebrating Harriet Tubman, and they’ve even received support from First Lady Michelle Obama!)  GirlTrek’s jumpstart challenge checklist lists different ways to get active within 30 days, and June is a great month to get started. Cayuga County has over 65 miles of trails to explore, providing plenty of opportunities to complete your trek checklist while exploring the destination Harriet Tubman once called home.

Music on the Mall featuring The Frank White Experience: This highly regarded tribute band pays homage to the Notorious B.I.G., masterfully capturing the essence of Biggie Smalls with their electrifying performances – a fitting event during the 50th year of hip hop.

Laugh on with Donnell Rawlings: The comedian, known for his appearance on Chappelle’s Show, will be performing at the Auburn Public Theatre on Wednesday, June 15 at 7 p.m. Get your tickets and get ready for a barrel of laughs!

Patronize Black Businesses

Patronize Black Businesses: Buying Black stimulates the economy and demonstrates your support of Black entrepreneurship. Here are a few businesses we invite you to support (and if there are others you’d like us to shout out, please tell us!):

• Arthur the Artist creates bold, thoughtful designs made to inspire. His work is influenced by his experience as an architect and the power of visual storytelling. From t-shirts to murals, Arthur Hutchinson creates signature designs that are well-crafted, eye-catching, and meaningful. His latest work – Cosmic Black Joy: The Jubilee Tapestries – is a digital collage series exploring the concept of Black Joy through bold celestial imagery that captures the vast potential of dreams and aspirations. This project aims to elevate Black culture by uniting the community around a positive vision at a Juneteenth Celebration at Seymour Library in Auburn, NY.
  
• Essentially Erica Photography is created by blogger and photographer Erica Manners. Her portfolio includes stunning photos of couples, families, headshots and businesses – including imagery of the Harriet Tubman Home and Equal Rights Heritage Center in Cayuga County. Be sure to save her information for your future photography needs!
  
• Nate’s Barber Shop: Treat yourself to a trim, haircut or style when you visit this local barbershop. Not only will you emerge with a fresh look, but you’ll make a meaningful connection with owner and barber Nate.
  
• Barbara Jeans Body & Hair Butter, created by Jasmine Freeman, is home to butters, body oils, hair sprays and oils, as well as bath bombs and scrubs. The business started when Jasmine saw a lack of natural haircare representation in her region – so she set out to fulfill that need, which blossomed into the indulgent self-care products she makes today! 

For more business to explore visit Tour Cayuga’s Discover Black Owned Business Page.

Harriet Tubman Landmarks

Visit Harriet Tubman Landmarks: Influencers like travel host Philwaukee a.k.a. Phil the Culture and expert Martinique “Marty” Lewis (host of National Geographic’s “Black Travel Across America”) have both experienced the imprint of Harriet Tubman on Cayuga County’s culture, and we invite you to do the same! Explore the landmarks where Harriet Tubman’s legacy continues to thrive.

Keep an eye on our events page for even more Juneteenth events – information will be provided as it becomes available!