As we celebrate Juneteenth National Independence Day on June 19, events around the region honor the 1865 emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States, including an exhibit at Henricus Historical Park recognizing members of the 116th United States Colored Troops. For more holiday observances, see our list below. Additional events in the days ahead include the return of the Stone Soul Music & Food Festival, an author gathering featuring three Richmond writers, and a honey of a celebration. Enjoy!
Family Feuds
On Tuesday, June 18, at 6 p.m., Fountain Bookstore in Shockoe Slip hosts a book event with three authors who’ve created recent novels of Southern family strife and skullduggery. Richmond writer Jon Sealy, whose latest, “The King Street Affair,” concerns buried secrets and international intrigue in Charleston, South Carolina, converses with Virginia author Kent Wascom, whose “The Great State of West Florida” involves feuding families and a demagogic mega church leader who wants to create his own fiefdom. Steve Weddle’s “The County Line” is a Depression-era Deep South story about crime and loyalty to blood and country. Admission is free, but registration is required.
—Harry Kollatz Jr., Senior Writer
Forgotten No More
Juneteenth is associated with the monumental day in 1865 when Gen. Gordon Granger sent word to the enslaved community in Texas that the Emancipation Proclamation would be enforced, thus ending slavery in the United States. Among those soldiers who marched into Galveston that day were members of the 116th United States Colored Troops, who had been stationed at the Dutch Gap Canal, in what is now Henricus Historical Park. Henricus will be honoring them during the week of Juneteenth with an exhibit, “The Forgotten Soldiers of Juneteenth,” showcasing photos from the 116th USCT, as well as reproduction clothing, gear and weapons. The special program is available June 20-23 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Henricus Interpretation Supervisor John Pagano will be at the site’s reproduced church on Saturday, June 22, to answer questions and lead discussions on this brave group of Union soldiers. Tickets are $12, $8 for ages 5 to 12.
—Claire Fortier, Special Projects Editor
Bee There
There are few parties you could get me to attend where bees are the guests of honor, but the Honey Bee Festival is no normal party. This Saturday, June 22, the 13th annual festival swarms the Chesterfield County Fairgrounds to support and celebrate the charismatic pollinators, organized by the Rockwood Park Backyard Beekeepers Association. The free event, in a new, larger venue and with extended hours from last year, kicks off at 10 a.m. and carries on until 4 p.m. with live music, vendors selling local honey and native plants, food and drink, and educational offerings for kids and adults to learn the importance of bees of all types.
—Kevin Johnson, Lifestyle Editor
Heart and Soul
Back after five years and now on Brown’s Island, the longstanding Stone Soul Music & Food Festival is a celebration of Richmond music, food and culture. Getting top billing this year are hip-hop, gospel, R&B, and soul artists such as The Backyard Band, Tamar Braxton, Juvenile, Bobbi Storm, Trina (pictured above) and others. The music starts at 2:30 p.m. June 22, and the festival ends at 9 p.m. Tickets are $65.
—Mark Newton, News Editor
Other Suggestions
- Virginia Repertory Theatre’s “9 to 5: The Musical,” based on the 1980 film, runs June 21-Aug. 4 at the November Theatre.
- Back by popular demand, guitarist Ron Bosse returns to The Tin Pan with special guest Grammy Award-winning keyboardist Jeff Lorber on June 21.
- British drummer and jazz composer Yussef Dayes visits The National on June 23.
- The final performances of Richmond Shakespeare Festival’s “Much Ado About Nothing” are onstage June 20-23 at Agecroft Hall & Gardens.
- “Virginia Is for Music Lovers: A History of Virginia’s Black Excellence in Music” commemorates Black Music Month at the Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia and continues through July 27.
More Ways to Celebrate Juneteenth
- The RVA Black Bar Crawl hosts A Juneteenth Festival on June 22.
- The NAACP Hanover Branch celebrates Juneteenth at Randolph-Macon College featuring live music, food and vendors on June 22.
- Hardywood Park Craft Brewery presents a Juneteenth Celebration 2024 and the Black is Beautiful Vol. 2 beer collaboration release on June 22.
- Pocahontas State Park hosts Juneteenth in the Park, celebrating Black heritage and freedom, on June 22.
- A Juneteenth Celebration presented by the Love Movement takes place at Brambly Park on June 23.
River City Roundup is Richmond magazine’s weekly compilation of the best things to see, do and experience in the region, compiled by our editors. Get each week’s installment directly in your inbox every Monday by subscribing to our e-newsletter.
