‘Our celebration of freedom’: How you can participate in Juneteenth events around Fresno

FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – Preparations for Juneteenth are underway in the City of Fresno. 

Landon Green is the president of The Freedom Groups, the nonprofit in charge of The Juneteenth Experience.  

“I’m super excited because we are, finally, we’re getting a chance to spread our wings,” he explained. “Just like the 4th of July, this is this is our celebration of freedom and not just us as Black people, but of all people.”

He says commemorations start Thursday with a flag-raising ceremony at Fresno City Hall, followed by celebrations at River Park.

Events continue on Friday, June 20, with an Ultimate Boots on the Ground Experience at Vision View.

Through the weekend, there will be a parade and march through Downtown Fresno, performances by Black Greek organizations at the Fresno Convention Center and a family fun day at the West Fresno Campus.

“Being in three different districts and for the first time, we’re able to celebrate Juneteenth over at River Park. I was able to meet with the mayor. I was able to meet with each councilman, and we made that happen,” Green said. “Hopefully, next year will be in four districts, you know, because we want something that is for everybody. This is a true celebration of freedom. And that’s what Juneteenth is all about, is celebrating freedom. So, whatever your freedom is, we’re asking you to turn it up, amplify it, which is why this year’s theme is freedom amplified.”

Michael McElroy is one of the featured vendors this year, proudly representing Planet Vegan. 

“Being a Black-owned family business, it’s a great opportunity for us to, you know, show our talents and show our food capabilities that we have for a plant-based option,” he said. 

They’ve been gearing up for this important week by ordering more of everything.  

McElroy explained, “I used to stay in the Bay Area, Oakland, California, to be specific. We would always go to the Juneteenth things out there. So, it’s my first time actually being part of the Fresno one.”

Green says the vendors, organizations and events are all about celebrating Black culture and honoring the history behind what June 19 means.

“If you were a slave and you were born into slavery and one day the cavalry shows up, the army shows up and says, ‘You’re free.’ What would that feel like? And all you’ve known is slavery. And they tell you at that moment, ‘You don’t have to do this anymore.’ Can you imagine the outpouring of emotion and the and the celebration that those initially getting that news? I mean, it makes me emotional even thinking about it. So that’s what Juneteenth is. It’s a celebration of freedom. It’s a celebration of that very moment of some people realizing that had been in bondage all their lives, that they’re free,” he said.

Across the valley, everybody wuill find different commemorations for Juneteenth, including free entry to national parks and the Fresno Art Museum.