UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State campus and community members will be provided the opportunity to celebrate Juneteenth National Independence Day with events to be held on Friday and Saturday, June 13-14, in downtown State College. Penn State officially observes Juneteenth as a University holiday.
Juneteenth — an amalgamation of the words "June" and "nineteenth" — is a national holiday commemorating when enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, ultimately learned they were free on June 19, 1865, more than two years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation.
In 2019, Pennsylvania recognized June 19 as Juneteenth National Freedom Day, and in June 2021, then U.S. President Joe Biden signed into law an act designating June 19 as Juneteenth National Independence Day, a federal holiday.
'Juneteenth: Our Freedom, Our Fight, Our Future' celebration — June 13-14
Juneteenth will be celebrated June 13-14 in downtown State College, a celebration weekend filled with food, music, art, performances and many activities for individuals and families to enjoy. This is the sixth year for the celebration in the borough, said Leslie Laing, co-founder and planning co-chair of the Juneteenth Celebration committee.
Art Exhibit and Opening Reception — 6-8 p.m. Friday, June 13
Festivities begin with the Juneteenth Art Exhibition and Opening Reception, to take place from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, June 13, at the Woskob Family Gallery, located at 146 S. Allen St. in downtown State College.
Art Exhibit — June 13 to July 31
The Art Exhibition at the Woskob Family Gallery — showcasing a diverse array of visual art, photography, sculpture, crafts and more by local, national and international artists — will be open:
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Every Friday from June 13 to July 31, from 12:30 to 5 p.m. each day
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Saturday, June 14, and Saturday, July 12, from 2 to 5 p.m. each day
Block Party — noon-6 p.m. Saturday, June 14
The Juneteenth Block Party kicks off at noon on Saturday, June 14, and runs until 6 p.m. at the Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza and 100 Block of South Fraser Street.
The plaza and street will transform into a vibrant hub of Black joy, artistry and solidarity to exemplify the theme this year, "Juneteenth: Our Fight, Our Freedom, Our Future." The lineup includes musicians, spoken word artists, dancers and cultural performers, including the return of the Marching Cobras of New York City. Headliners will feature:
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Gabby Samone, from Baltimore, who blends her gospel roots with modern soul, pop and a powerful blend of storytelling. She captured national attention as a top 24 contestant on "American Idol" in 2024.
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The Brencore Allstars Band, a nationally acclaimed tribute band, known for bringing legendary soul, Motown and R&B hits to life.
The block party also will feature food trucks, a variety of Black-owned businesses, and fun activities throughout the day for kids and adults.
"Don’t miss this wonderful community-wide event that is sure to have something for everyone, kids too," Laing said. "Rain or shine, we will see you there!"
This year’s Juneteenth Freedom Festival is hosted by the Juneteenth Planning Committee, the Borough of State College, the Center for the Performing Arts at Penn State, and the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau, along with the generous support of various units at Penn State, community sponsors, local donors, volunteers, and grant funding that allows the event to remain free and open to all.
In 2024, the Juneteenth Planning Committee established the 1865 Freedom Legacy Scholarship, to increase access and affordability to postsecondary education, and to foster a legacy that creates cultural awareness and civic engagement at the high school level. This local scholarship recognizes the community service and academic excellence of racially underrepresented and Indigenous students.
Juneteenth virtual bookshelf
In celebration of Juneteenth 2025, the Penn State University Libraries' Libby mobile app offers featured leisure and audiobooks from the Celebrate Juneteenth! virtual bookshelf. The Libby reading app provides leisure reading and listening titles to Penn State students and employees.