MetroHealth Cleveland Juneteenth Freedom Fest

Image (c) Cody York

Image (c) Cody York

MetroHealth Cleveland Juneteenth Freedom Fest will kick off Saturday, June 19 from 12:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. on Mall C in Downtown Cleveland with a citywide, family-friendly celebration and commemoration of the Juneteenth holiday.

Live Music

Freedom Fest will feature headline performances by GRAMMY Award-winning performers Terri Lyne Carrington + Social Science and Lisa Fischer, and GRAMMY nominated Mumu Fresh; as well as “Freedom on Juneteenth: Songs of Liberation,” a mainstage performance by Karamu House, the country’s oldest Black producing theatre.

Vendors, Food and Refreshments

Festivities will also include a Vendor Village to spotlight Black businesses and entrepreneurs, community programming, food trucks and beverage concessions.

Family-Friendly Games, Activities and Programs

There's something here for the whole family. Check out make and take crafts, live art demonstrations from #VoicesofCLE artists, spoken-word performances and a Fireworks Finale spectacular.

Image (c) Glenn Infante

 

The Story of Freedom Fest

After the June 2020 protests in Downtown Cleveland and subsequent recognition by more than 30 community organizations of the Cleveland Pledge recognizing racism as a public health crisis, Downtown Cleveland Alliance, along with Ingenuity Cleveland, Land Studio, Karamu House, Cleveland Public Library, Destination Cleveland and the City of Cleveland formed the #VoicesofCLE Public Art Project.

Its initial aim was to beautify boarded-up windows throughout the city center by engaging local artists of color and giving them a platform to amplify voices, spark conversation and uplift the community as we looked for ways to unite and heal. The project complemented an original theatrical production by Karamu House, the country’s oldest African American producing theatre, on June 19, 2020. Entitled “Freedom on Juneteenth,” an original theatrical production and artistic response to the recent murders of Black Americans through music, dance and spoken word – instantly becoming a nationally-recognized and viral video.

As these organizations found pathways to advance the community in a time when our country was suffering from the effects of the global pandemic, we began to talk about how the community could coalesce around Juneteenth in 2021. The result: Freedom Fest, a community event to educate, celebrate and activate participants around the history of African American culture.

One year ago, we all pledged to act and do things differently – to create a place that reflects the deep roots and rich history that makes Cleveland so unique. Today, we hope you will choose to join in this city-wide celebration of Juneteenth and the rich historical presence of African American arts and culture Cleveland offers.

 

Image (c) Cody York
 

Sponsors, Supporters and Partners

This highly anticipated event is produced in partnership with Karamu House, Downtown Cleveland Alliance and Ingenuity Cleveland with the support of MetroHealth, Cleveland Clinic, the City of Cleveland, Destination Cleveland and Greater Cleveland Partnership.

Fireworks Finale presented by the CL3 Alliance (Cleveland Cavaliers, Cleveland Browns, and Cleveland Indians). Vendor Village presented by JACK Casino.

Community programming and education activities supported by The Sherwin-Williams Company, The Good Community Foundation and AKA Team Construction.

Sponsors include Bank of America, Cleveland Neighborhood Progress, Dominion Energy, ERIE Bank, Gilbane, Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority, GrowthOpps, McDonald Hopkins, Medical Mutual of Ohio, Playhouse Square, PNC, RPM International, Jack Daniel’s and Thompson Hine.

Event supporters are E. F. Boyd & Son Funeral Home, Copy King, Ozanne Construction, 48 Hour Virtual Music Fest, Cleveland State University / Project 400, and Jack Daniel’s.

Additional community partners include the Women of Color Foundation, Step Forward, Urban League of Greater Cleveland, #VoicesofCLE, University Circle Inc., and Cleveland Public Library.