It's almost time for Juneteenth. Here's how you can celebrate in Fort Collins

FoCo Juneteenth is bringing its celebration of liberation and joy to Foothills mall Friday through Sunday, June 14-16.

Juneteenth is June 19 and marks the day in 1865 when enslaved people in Texas were finally ordered to be freed, two years after the Emancipation Proclamation freed slaves in Confederate states.

On that day, 2,000 Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas, to free 250,000 Black people in the state.

It wasn't until the 13th Amendment to the Constitution was passed in December of that year that the end of slavery become national policy.

But Juneteenth has long been celebrated by Black Americans with cookouts, church gatherings, music, storytelling and art.

The Fort Collins celebration commemorating the holiday, FoCo Juneteenth, is back for the third year with live music, vendors, food trucks and more.

"Community members of all identities are invited to join in the festivities and embrace the learning and celebration of Black culture in Northern Colorado," said India Phoenix, communications coordinator with BIPOC Alliance.

Events are free. Here's how you can join in the celebration:

Concert on the Lawn

6-9 p.m. Friday, Foothills mall lawn, 215 E. Foothills Parkway: Live performances from hip-hop artist Rolos Rios and Motown Revue. "Rain or shine, we'll be dancing the night away," FoCo Juneteenth's website says.

Youth Night

6-9 p.m. Friday, Cultural Enrichment Center: Game room, outdoor film screenings and activities geared toward youths ages 12-17.

Community celebration

9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Foothills mall, 215 E. Foothills Parkway: Yoga on the lawn, wellness workshops, kids activities like a scavenger hunt through the mall, vendor market featuring BIPOC-owned businesses, food trucks, live entertainment, face painting, educational opportunities, a TikTok dance party and more. The night will end with a concert on the lawn with hip-hop group New Bloodline and local funk group Titonic.

Church on the Lawn

7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Foothills mall lawn, 215 E. Foothills Parkway: This event will feature a "lively gospel performance," according to the FoCo Juneteenth website.

This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Juneteenth events in Fort Collins are set for June 14-16, 2024