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Falls Church will mark Juneteenth with two days of music, history and community events, while several city facilities close for the federal holiday.
Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, learned of the Emancipation Proclamation more than two years after it was issued. The holiday honors African American freedom, resilience and the continuing pursuit of equality.
The observance begins Thursday, June 18, with a free Concerts in the Park performance at 7 p.m. Co-sponsored by the Village Preservation and Improvement Society, the program will feature the Falls Church Concert Band, a performance of “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” and music honoring Juneteenth, veterans and big-screen icons.
The Tinner Hill Heritage Foundation’s Juneteenth Celebration will follow from noon to 5 p.m. Friday, June 19, at the Tinner Hill Historic Site, 106 Tinner Hill Road.
The free, family-friendly gathering will feature Darius Wallace presenting the life and legacy of Frederick Douglass through storytelling and scholarship. The afternoon will also include live music, children’s activities, educational exhibits, vendors, traditional Juneteenth foods and outdoor activities.
Scheduled performers include the DC Retro Jumpers and award-winning vocalist Carly Harvey. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets.
City Hall and the Mary Riley Styles Public Library will be closed Friday, June 19. Camps will not be held because the date is a scheduled skip day. The Community Center will remain open from 8:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.