City of Ellensburg partnering with CWU and others for Juneteenth celebration

The City of Ellensburg is partnering with the Ellensburg Downtown Association, Central Washington University, the Kittitas County Historical Museum, and Black Grenade Entertainment to put on a community Juneteenth celebration

The downtown Ellensburg event — commemorating the end of slavery in 1865 — is scheduled from 4-9 p.m. on Wednesday, June 19. The day first became a federal holiday in 2021.

Beginning at 10 a.m., the Kittitas County Historical Museum (114 E. Third Ave.) will feature programming dedicated to Juneteenth, and will showcase the history and culture of African Americans in Kittitas County.

A reception and presentation will take place at the museum from 2-4 p.m. before the celebration moves to Pine Street, where Black Grenade Entertainment will present a musical lineup at the Red Pickle beginning at 4 p.m. The live entertainment will be followed by an Ellensburg Night Market, featuring food, music, vendors, and craft displays.

In addition to serving as an event sponsor, CWU is presenting a pair of Juneteenth exhibits throughout the month. CWU Archives and Special Collections is hosting Juneteenth exhibit on the second floor of Brooks Library, and CWU Libraries will be showing a curated book display on the first floor.

CWU faculty and staff who have been involved in the planning of the Juneteenth celebration include Delano Palmer, Lucinda Carnell, Maureen Rust, Teresa Divine, Mal Stewman, Jessica Woodall, and Verónica Gómez-Vilchis.

To learn more about the June 19 festivities, visit ellensburgdowntown.org, or visit their Instagram page, @ellensburgdowntown.