This year is the first year that Juneteenth is an official federal holiday, and Alexandria has a variety of ways to celebrate this weekend.
Juneteenth marks the day that enslaved individuals in Galveston, Texas, learned that the Emancipation Proclamation had freed them — more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was delivered.
Visit Alexandria is giving residents an opportunity to take a deeper dive into Alexandria's Black History — plus, here's a list of Alexandria's Black-owned businesses that you should support this weekend and all year.
One of Alexandria's newest Black-owned businesses? Goodie's Frozen Custard & Treats, which transformed Alexandria's historic Ice House into a walk-up custard stand.
See the full list from Visit Alexandria here.
Highlighted Events This Weekend
- Pedal Positive — a Black History Bike Tour of Alexandria, Saturday, June 19 leaving from Jones Point Park.
- Juneteenth Celebration at Carlyle House — live music, hands-on activities, art, history, poetry readings and more.
- Craft Fair at Harambee Books & Art — with local artists, jewelry makers, authors and more.
- Ona Judge Historic Marker Unveiling — see the new historic marker at Mount Vernon Estate.
- Under the Same Roof: Free and Enslaved Servants at the Lee-Fendall House — one of the historic property's most popular tours.
