Second Annual Bismarck Juneteenth Celebration set for General Sibley Park

Event to highlight “Resilience Rising, Embracing History, Shaping Futures”

As Juneteenth celebrations across the country mark the anniversary of African Americans’ emancipation from enslavement, Bismarck is gearing up for an evening of food, live music, and family fun. Wednesday’s event in General Sibley Park will mark the city’s second annual Juneteenth celebration.

The Bismarck Juneteenth Committee’s mission is to educate and raise awareness about the Juneteenth commemoration and spotlight North Dakota’s progress in advancing civil rights. Organizer Geraldine Ambe says it takes an entire community, not just a committee, to make a change. “The committee recognizes that lasting change can only be achieved through a collaborative effort in the community,” said Ambe.

The celebration is set from 4 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, June 19, at General Sibley Park. The keynote speaker is Fred Edwards, Jr., a Fargo resident known as a creative director, motivational speaker, community leader, founder of Fred’s Dissonance and a 2024 Bush Fellow. This year’s celebration theme is Resilience Rising, Embracing History, Shaping Futures. Organizers aim to highlight notable national and local historical figures such as Satchel Paige, Era Belle Thompson, and John Lewis and their contributions to civil rights.

The event will feature all afternoon and evening activities, including food and refreshments from local vendors, performances by a Ghanaian dance and drum group from New York, Afro Teens from Bismarck, Northern Plains Dance performers, and local hip hop artist SPG Da General. There will also be a local DJ, a scavenger hunt, poetry readings and music from regional band “Hiahli.” Master of Ceremonies is Joseph McNeil, Jr, a citizen of the Standing Rock Nation.

Last year’s popular event was held in Kiwanis Park, next to the Larks Municipal Ballpark. But organizer Molly McLain said the change of venue this year was due to a Larks Doubleheader, which caused concerns for parking in the area as the event was very well attended last year.

McLain added that Sibley Park Amphitheater has a stage already, which cuts down on costs of having to rent or build a stage for event organizers.

Juneteenth celebrates the end of slavery in the United States. It is also known as Emancipation Day, Freedom Day, Jubilee Day, Juneteenth Independence Day, Black Independence Day, and, by statute, Juneteenth National Independence Day. On June 19, 1865, Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced the end of the Civil War and the end of slavery.

Although the Emancipation Proclamation went into effect Jan. 1, 1863, many enslavers continued to hold enslaved Black people captive after the announcement. Juneteenth became a symbolic date representing African-American freedom.

It also became a federal holiday on June 17, 2021. North Dakota recognized Juneteenth as a holiday or observance starting in 2021, but it is not a permanent paid or legal holiday in the state.

The Bismarck Juneteenth Committee envisions a celebration with opportunities to celebrate uniqueness, talents, and passions. Organizers say they hope this cultural event uplifts and

brings joy and togetherness in the Bismarck community and region.

This event is co-curated by High Plains Fair Housing and Fred’s Dissonance. Area partners include Sacred Pipe Resource Center, Central Regional Education Association, North Dakota Council of the Arts, Dakota West Arts Council, Northern Plains Dance, Northern Plains Heritage Foundation and the Fort Abraham Lincoln Foundation.

General Sibley Park is located on South Washington Street, four miles south of the Bismarck Expressway.