People across Washington state are celebrating Juneteenth on Thursday, the holiday commemorating the emancipation of enslaved people in the United States.
June 19 holds significant meaning for both American history and the Black experience, as noted by the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Washington officially celebrated Juneteenth as a paid state holiday in 2022. It also was established as a federal holiday in June 2021.
President Abraham Lincoln declared in the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863 that all enslaved people were to be freed. But it took more than two years before word reached African Americans in Galveston, Texas — thus freeing some 250,000 slaves in the Lone Star State.
June 19, 1865, was the day that Union troops arrived to share the news; Juneteenth is a portmanteau of the words “June” and “nineteenth.”
Washington state Sen. John Lovick said his family celebrated Juneteenth all the time in Louisiana and Texas. The Mill Creek Democrat noted that his great-great-grandfather was born into slavery before emancipation came, but that many of his relatives likely never saw freedom.
America is a great nation, yet it still lives “with the scars of slavery,” he said.
“The personal meaning (of Juneteenth) for me is that we can continue to celebrate it, but it is also a state holiday and a national holiday — and it just means so much to me,” he said. “My heart aches for what I know the enslaved people had to deal with. They sacrificed so much.”
The Federal Way Democrat hopes Black youth in Washington understand that their history, heritage and culture are “more than just Martin Luther King Day” and “28 days in February.” Juneteenth represents generations of perseverance and resilience.
She asks that people who are interested in being allies not be deterred by federal-level diversity rollbacks.
“To me, that is what this Juneteenth really represents,” Reeves said. “It’s one more milestone, one more moment in, if you will, the journey of Black people in America to bring along all of our brothers and sisters in the fight for justice.” Juneteenth events around WA
On state holidays, state courts and government agencies usually close. Meanwhile, Juneteenth events are planned in several Washington cities.
The Women of Color in Leadership Movement, partnering with Media Island International and the city of Olympia, will host Olympia’s annual Juneteenth celebration Saturday, June 21, at Rebecca Howard Park. Expect to see performances, food vendors and family friendly activities.
On Wednesday, June 18, the city of Tacoma raised the Juneteenth flag over the Tacoma Dome for the first time. On Thursday, June 19 at Tacoma’s Stewart Heights Park, the Juneteenth Celebration: A Road to Economic Freedom will offer live music, food and vendors.
Also in Grit City, the RISE Center of Hilltop is set to have bouncy houses, vendors and food this Saturday, June 21.
The third-annual Official Juneteenth Celebration kicks off in Bellingham on Saturday, June 21. Maritime Heritage Park will have face painting, performances, vendors, guest speakers, food trucks and more.
The Tri-Cities area has hosted multiple Juneteenth events.
For instance, thousands of people reportedly headed to Pasco’s Kurtzman Park last Saturday to check out one of the state’s longest-running Juneteenth celebrations. Kennewick marked a music-and-dance-focused “Juneteenth Citrus Party” that night as well.
This Thursday, June 19, Richland will have a free skate party in honor of the holiday.
The Snohomish County NAACP held its 2025 Juneteenth Celebration last Saturday, featuring speakers, food, music, games and a sweet potato pie contest.
The Kitsap Juneteenth Block Party is happening Thursday, June 19 in Bremerton. The family friendly event will boast food trucks, soul line dancing, face painting, bounce houses and an open mic.
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