Join Us in Celebrating Juneteenth in Keene and the Monadnock Region!
Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. It marks the day when all enslaved individuals became aware of their freedom. Although the Emancipation Proclamation was signed on January 1, 1863, it took two and a half years for enslaved people in Texas to learn of their freedom.
This year, Keene and the Monadnock region are celebrating Juneteenth from Thursday, June 13th, through Sunday, June 23rd. Join us as we celebrate freedom with a variety of events and activities!
Event Highlights
THURSDAY, JUNE 13
12:00PM | Keene Family YMCA & Main Street, Keene
The Freedom Journey Trail opens for self-guided tours
Take a walk through history to learn about important historical events that have shaped the ongoing freedom journey of Black Americans. The trail, located on the grounds of the Keene Family YMCA at 200 Summit Road, Keene, is a ¼ mile scenic walk through the fields which will be open through Sunday, June 23rd. It is also being displayed at participating merchants on Main Street in Downtown Keene. CLICK HERE for the trail map!
FRIDAY, JUNE 14
5:00PM | The Toadstool Bookshop | 12 Emerald Street, Keene
“One Big Open Sky” – read by author Lesa Cline-Ransome
Award-winning children’s book author Lesa Cline-Ransome autographs, discusses, and reads from her newest book, One Big Open Sky, a story about what freedom means for black people in this country, told through three female characters and an all-black wagon company traveling west to Nebraska in 1879. Click here for your free tickets.
7:00PM | Brewbakers | 48 Emerald Street, Keene
Performance by Crys Mathews
Already hailed as “the next Woody Guthrie,” Crys is among the brightest stars of the new generation of social justice music-makers. A former drum major and classically trained clarinetist turned folk singer, Matthews uses her voice to answer Dr. Martin Luther King’s call to be “a drum major for justice.” Crys Matthews’s thoughtful, realistic, and emotional songs speak to the voice of our generation and remind us why music indeed soothes the soul. Seating capacity for Brewbakers is limited to 100. Click here for your tickets. There is a $15 cover.
SUNDAY, JUNE 16
2:00PM | The Showroom | Colonial Performing Arts Center
Kid Flicks: Celebrating Black Stories
A series of short films by the New York International Children’s Film Festival that share the joy, determination, resilience, and complexity of being Black and young. Runtime: 63 minutes. Recommended Ages: 9+. Seating is limited. Click here for your free tickets.
6:30PM | Keene State College | Parker Hall-Drenan Auditorium
Imitation of Life – Film Screening
Imitation of Life explores the friendship between two struggling single mothers: one (Claudette Colbert) a working-class white woman who ascends to the top of the business world, the other (Louise Beavers) her Black housekeeper, whose life is shattered by the rejection of her rebellious, white-passing daughter (Fredi Washington). It is this latter relationship—attuned to America’s bitter racial realities and heartbreakingly enacted by trailblazing Black performers Beavers and Washington—that lends the film its transcendent emotional power. This first adaptation of Fannie Hurst’s best-selling novel boldly confronts the complexities and contradictions of racial identity, economic exploitation, and the limits of the American dream. Run time: 1 hour, 51 minutes. Click here for your free tickets.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19
5:00PM | Community Kitchen | 37 Mechanic Street, Keene
Juneteenth Celebration Community Dinner
Stop by the Community Kitchen for a special Juneteenth celebration during their usual community dinner service from 5:00 to 6:20 pm. All members of the community are invited to come together and share in this free dinner. Celebrate freedom, reflect on our history, and enjoy delicious food in a welcoming atmosphere. Chef Anthony is planning a special menu for the occasion.
6:00PM | Central Square | Downtown Keene
Juneteenth Celebration
A free, family-friendly community event featuring musical performances by Senie Hunt and the Gaslight Tinkers.
The City of Keene’s 2024 Juneteenth events are presented by the City of Keene Human Rights Committee, Keene Family YMCA, and W.S. Badger Company.
Sponsored in part by: Antioch University, Bensonwood, Brewbakers, C&S Wholesale Grocers, The Colonial Theatre, The Community Kitchen, Fenton Family Dealerships, Franklin Pierce University, Great Eastern Radio, Keene Public Library, Keene State College, Local Burger, M&T Bank, Main Street America Insurance, Monadnock DEIB Coalition, Monadnock Media Group, Monadnock Collaborative, Monadnock Food Co-op, Monadnock International Film Festival, NY International Children’s Film Festival, Savings Bank of Walpole, Swamp Bats, The Works, and The Toadstool Bookshop.
Come together with us to honor this important occasion and celebrate freedom!