By Noah Alcala Bach | San Antonio Current
Although Juneteenth is only in its second year as a federally recognized holiday, the San Antonio community has long been celebrating the holiday.
Here are a few ways to mark the occasion in the Alamo City this weekend.
In the heart of the East Side, the San Antonio Juneteenth Commission will hold its weekend-long Juneteenth Festival in Comanche Park. The event will kick off on Friday, June 17 with a fish fry and musical performances from The Legends and Ruben V. On Saturday and Sunday, Young James Brown and the P-Funk Outlaws will be the main musical acts and June 19 will also feature “Sunday Gospel,” a church service in the park with guests Mama Dee and Gary Givens delivering the message. Free, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday, June 17-Sunday, June 19, Comanche Park, 2600 Rigsby Ave., juneteenthsanantonio.com.
On Saturday, the SA Juneteenth Block Party/Fair will be held at Alamo Beer Company, and will feature an array of vendors. The celebration, now in its second year and boasting sponsors such as H-E-B, VIA, University Health and a plethora of small businesses, had 3500 attendees last year. Funds raised from the event will go to the Dream Big Scholarship Fund. Admission is free, but tickets reservations are required. According to event organizers, social distancing will be enforced at the event. Free, 3-9:30 p.m. Saturday, June 18, Alamo Beer Company, 202 Lamar St., (210) 872-5589, eventbrite.com/e/2022-sa-juneteenth-block-partyfair-tickets-301067520057.
If you’re looking for an artsy way to celebrate Juneteenth, The Art of Four is hosting a constellation of events throughout weekend featuring work from local Black artists. On Friday, the organization is presenting a Luncheon and Panel Discussion at the Red Berry Estate (Free, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. June 17, 856 Gembler Rd., (210) 600-4141, theredberryestate.com). The following day a Rooftop Reception will be held at Artpace downtown (Free, 6-8 p.m. June 18, Artpace, 445 N. Main St., (210) 600-4141, artpace.org), and on Sunday festivities will culminate with a Celebration at Legacy Park featuring live music, food and drinks in addition to a showcase of artists’ work (Free, 6-11 p.m. June 19, Legacy Park, 103 W. Houston St., (210) 600-4141, westonurban.com/legacy-park).
This article is republished with permission from the San Antonio Current.
The San Antonio Current, San Antonio’s award-winning alternative media company, has served as the city’s premiere multimedia source of alternative news, events and culture since 1986.
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