How you can celebrate Juneteenth 2023 in Milwaukee with parade and street festival

Christopher Kuhagen, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Updated June 10, 2023 at 3:57 AM·4 min read

Milwaukee is home to one of the oldest Juneteenth celebrations in the country and in 2023 it's no different with a huge street festival.

Here's how you can partake in events across the city during the holiday, including the parade.

What is Juneteenth?

Juneteenth commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. Slaves became free in Texas when Maj. General Gordon Granger issued the order on June 19, 1865.

Juneteenth has been celebrated for decades but it didn't become a federal holiday until 2021. About half of U.S. states give June 19 a paid off day for state workers. Wisconsin does not. The state first recognized Juneteenth in 2009.

When is Juneteenth?

Juneteenth is celebrated on June 19.

Milwaukee always holds its annual parade on the date.

Miss Juneteenth Terri Myles waves to the crowd on a float in the Juneteenth Day parade as part of the Juneteenth Day celebration in Milwaukee on Sunday, June 19, 2022.

What is the Milwaukee Juneteenth parade route in 2023?

This year marks the 52nd Juneteenth Jubilee Parade in Milwaukee.

The parade, which takes place from 9 to 11 a.m., begins at 14th and Atkinson avenues and ends at Dr. MLK Jr. Drive and Locust Street.

The parade, organized by the Northcott Neighborhood House, will be televised on WTMJ-TV (Channel 4). This year’s theme is “I Am Juneteenth."

Marching bands, floats and dance teams with monetary prizes will be given out for first-, second- and third-place entries in each category.

What does the Milwaukee Juneteenth street festival entail?

In conjunction with the parade, there is a street festival as part of Juneteenth.

This includes a Teen Zone that features a basketball skill challenge, hula hoop, dunk contest, double-dutch and three-point shoot-out. There will also be a basketball game with teens and the Milwaukee Police and Milwaukee County Sheriff's departments.

Several booths will also be along the parade route during the day.

Northcott Neighborhood House's festivities actually began earlier this month wih the annual Freedom Ball June 10 at the Milwaukee County Zoo, 10001 W. Bluemound Road.

Juneteenth Burlesque Show

You could kick off the Juneteenth weekend with a night of burlesque shows on June 17.

Shows are being held at Bremen Café, 901 E. Clarke St. The event, labeled as a cookout, is free to attend and there will be free food.

National performers will be at the show. Cash donations are recommended.

America's Black Holocaust Museum offers many events throughout Juneteenth week in Milwaukee

America's Black Holocaust Museum, 401 W. North Ave., has several events for you to take part in throughout the week to immerse yourself in the culture.

Noon to 5 p.m. June 18 (Guided tours for fathers and families on Father's Day)
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 19 (storytime, and arts and crafts)
10 a.m. to noon June 20 (storytime, and arts and crafts)
10 to 11:30 a.m. June 21 (storytime, and arts and crafts); 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. June 21 ABHM Book Club featuring "Afrofuturism")
1 to 3 p.m. June 22 (coffee and culture exploring oral histories)
1 to 3 p.m. June 23 (storytime, and arts and crafts

Storytime features "Juneteenth: A Children's Story" by Opal Lee, who is called the “grandmother of Juneteenth” for her activism in helping establish Juneteenth as a federal holiday.

Arts and crafts features projects facilitated by the ABHM staff and volunteers.

There is free admission to the museum all week from June 18-23.

Juneteenth movie event this weekend in Milwaukee

Get a jumpstart on the celebrations by attending the screening of "Juneteenth: Faith & Film," an unscripted documentary that showcases the history of the holiday.

This free event is put on by the Wisconsin African American Women Center, 3020 W. Vliet St. The screening begins at 11:30 a.m. and will be followed by a panel discussion.

Doors open at 11 a.m.

More: Juneteenth is more than a day off for many people. Can Wisconsin businesses do more?

Opinion: Blacks shouldn't have to lose identity to promote Juneteenth events

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: What is Milwaukee Juneteenth parade route in 2023? Festival details.