What is Juneteenth?
Juneteenth (abbreviation for “June Nineteenth”) commemorates the day when U.S. General Gordon Granger and federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865, two and one-half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation, to ensure that all enslaved persons were freed. General Granger read General Orders No. 3: “The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free.” Juneteenth honors the end to slavery in the United States.
Many believe Juneteenth, also known as Emancipation Day, Freedom Day, Jubilee Day, Juneteenth Independence Day, and Black Independence Day, is the longest-running African American holiday. On June 17, 2021, President Joe Biden signed legislation that made the day a federal holiday.
Join Us For Juneteenth: A Community Celebration
Interested in Volunteering?
Individuals who would like to volunteer at the Juneteenth Festival should click here or complete the application form below
by Friday, June 12, 2023.
Interested in Vending?
Organizations and vendors that would like to participate in the Juneteenth Festival should click here or complete the application form below by Friday, June 12, 2023.
Juneteenth Community Event Schedule
Tuesday, June 13th
Judging Begins at 4:30 PM

Grade Level K-6
Saturday, June 17th
9:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Saturday, June 17th
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Sunday, June 18th
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Clemson Area African American Museum
214 Butler Street
Clemson, SC 29631

Monday, June 19th
11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Clemson University Campus
Carillon Gardens, North Green, Outdoor Amphitheater, and Cooper Library
What’s Happening?
- Spoken Word and Music Performances
- Local Black History Exhibit
- Virtual Woodland Cemetery Tour
- Call My Name Walking Tour
- Author Presentations and Book Signings
- Food Trucks and Vendors
- Non-profit Organizations
- Storytelling and Face Painting for Children
