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4 Ways to Celebrate Juneteenth in Lakewood-Littleton With Your Family

Juneteenth National Independence Day was designated a U.S. Federal holiday in 2021

By Macaroni KID June 16, 2022

Juneteenth is an important day in American history because freedom is an important part of our history. 

Juneteenth commemorates the day in 1865 the end of the Civil War was announced in Texas or the end of slavery in the United States. 

The day has always been a time of celebration, especially in the African American community, and its significance only continues to grow: In 2021, Juneteenth National Independence Day was designated a U.S. Federal holiday.

Want your family to take part in this important and historical celebration of freedom? Here are four ideas how:


Attend Denver Area Juneteenth events


Maxim's Images via Canva


JUNE 18

Juneteenth Parade

Historic Five Points Neighborhood

11am to 12pm

The festival kicks off with the annual Juneteenth Parade presented by Verizon taking place down E 26th Avenue starting Saturday June 18th at 11:00 am then rolls into two full days of live entertainment, food, retail and community vendors, interactive and educational activities for all ages, block parties and VIP areas.

Juneteenth Music Festival

Historic Five Points Neighborhood

12pm to 8pm

Each year Denver’s historic Five Points Neighborhood is transformed into a hub of entertainment and celebration for residents and business owners celebrating the day when the last of the nation’s enslaved peoples were freed.

JUNE 19

Juneteenth Music Festival

Historic Five Points Neighborhood

12pm to 8pm

Each year Denver’s historic Five Points Neighborhood is transformed into a hub of entertainment and celebration for residents and business owners celebrating the day when the last of the nation’s enslaved peoples were freed.

Juneteenth Showing - Space Jam

Sie FilmCenter

10am

Tickets required

Superstar LeBron James and his young son, Dom, get trapped in digital space by a rogue AI. To get home safely, LeBron teams up with Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck and the rest of the Looney Tunes gang for a high-stakes basketball game against the AI's digitized champions of the court -- a powered-up roster called the Goon Squad.

Juneteenth Showing - The Wiz

Sie FilmCenter

12:30pm

Tickets required

When Harlem schoolteacher Dorothy (Diana Ross) tries to save her dog from a storm, she's miraculously whisked away to an urban fantasy land called Oz. After accidentally killing the Wicked Witch of the East upon her arrival, Dorothy is told about the Wiz (Richard Pryor), a wizard who can help her get back to Manhattan. As Dorothy goes in search of the Wiz, she's joined by the Scarecrow (Michael Jackson), the Tin Man (Nipsey Russell) and the Cowardly Lion (Ted Ross).


Learn about the holiday's meaning

Here's a catchy kid-friendly song from Sesame Street that explains Juneteenth:

For older children, the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture’s website offers good information about Juneteenth, including a reading list.

Looking for great kids' books about Juneteenth? We love  "Juneteenth for Mazie," about a little girl who is upset about restrictions like bedtime; and "All Different Now," the story of the day freedom arrived in Texas from a little girl's perspective.


Prepare a special meal together

Coming together as a family for a special meal is a traditional way to celebrate Juneteenth. Use the opportunity to explain the importance and meaning of the holiday to your kids.

Want ideas on what to cook? Check this fun video from Thrillist out:


Think about positive changes you'd like to see

The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, which is hosting a series of free virtual events this month to mark Juneteenth, suggests a great way to get kids involved and thinking about the meaning behind Juneteenth is to draw a picture, make a sign or write in a journal on the subject of what positive changes they would like to see in the world, and what they can do to help. 


 FatCamera via Canva

The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture offers these conversation starters to help kids begin thinking on the project:

  • Who or what is important to you?
  • What's something you'd like to see change in your community?
  • What would your community be like if everyone was healthy, happy, and safe?
  • Do you see a problem that needs to be fixed?
  • Are there people who should be treated better? How?
  • What can you do to make a difference, fix a problem, or help someone?