Norman will celebrate Juneteenth on Thursday, June 19, with the fifth annual Norman Juneteenth Festival. With plenty of sites to see, food to enjoy, and forms of entertainment, this festival is an ideal way to spend an afternoon.
Beginning at 6 p.m., Reaves Park will be filled with family friendly activities, live music, and plenty of local business vendors and food trucks. This is all thanks to the partnership between the City of Norman’s Parks and Recreation Department, the Norman Juneteenth Committee, and the nonprofit organization 2getherWeWill.
“Our partnership with these organizations as a committee of volunteers has been a great collaboration for the last five years,” said Tyra Jackson, the Norman Juneteenth Festival committee chair. “The city and nonprofit are great about providing different elements of support as we coordinate all the details to bring the festival together.”
This year’s event offers a welcoming space for locals and visitors alike to enjoy a meaningful evening outdoors. Reaves Park features a large playground, shared picnic tables, and wide-open space perfect for relaxing, connecting, and soaking in the atmosphere. The Cleveland County Veterans Memorial stands in the southwest corner of the park, offering a space for reflection and recognition of Oklahoma and American servicemen and women.
Next to the main park area is the Reaves Sports Complex, home to nine youth baseball fields and six combo youth/adult softball fields, and a walking trail that snakes through the grounds.
The festival lineup includes a youth art exhibit (ages 6 to 18) showcasing work from local artists under the themes of “Resilience through Arts and Culture” and African American culture, history, and beauty. At 6:30 p.m., the Norman (OK) Alumni Chapter Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity will kick off its annual Domino Tournament with cash prizes up to $100. Registration is open until the beginning of the event.
Musical artists Zie and Nia Moné will perform live on the northeast stage at 6:25 p.m. and 7:05 p.m., respectively. Both musicians are local, calling Oklahoma City home.
The Henderson Family Community Pillar awards, which has honored past recipients like former University of Oklahoma men’s basketball player Michael Neal and director of the Young Family Athletic Center Kellen McCoy, will be announced. The award’s namesake – the Henderson family – have been mainstays in the Norman community and at the University of Oklahoma since the late 1960s. Dr. George Henderson’s life has led him to be known as a trailblazer among African American university educators and community leaders.
“It’s an honor to highlight him and continue to learn from their history (the Henderson family),” said Jackson. “Education is an important part of the festival because this event is still new for the city and as a holiday, misunderstood by some. So, we feel it’s our responsibility to bridge that gap while honoring the hard history that led to Juneteenth.”
Line dancing with a live DJ will cap off the event followed by a fireworks show at 9:30 p.m.
“We always want the festival to be a good time for those returning and a moment to build community with those around us,” added Jackson. “As we continue to grow, we want the event to be a staple of the city's summer festival scene and something that people look forward to.”
In addition, two new Juneteenth murals will be unveiled as well as a permanent receptacle in the park. All of this in an effort to bring out the best of the Norman community, provide a fun space for visitors to enjoy themselves, and build a legacy.
“Black history is American history; they’re so entwined and when we think about freedom in this country, it’s an incomplete picture if we don’t include Juneteenth,” said Jackson.
For more information, go to visitnorman.com’s events page.
