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Juneteenth celebrations are marking the state and national holiday, commemorating the end of slavery in the United States.

Nearly two dozen people walked a 2.5-mile route through Grand Rapids as part of the Juneteenth Freedom Walk Thursday. It started at the historic Central School.

The distance symbolized the 2.5 years before all enslaved people were freed after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed in 1863.

Grand Rapids City Council member Molly MacGregor walked while holding a small, Juneteenth-style flag.

“No matter where you live, it matters. And it matters if Grand Rapids is doing Juneteenth, and it matters if Bovey's doing it or if Minneapolis or Fort Worth, Texas,” she said. 

The nonprofit KOOTASCA Community Action organized the event. 

Event organizer Alice Moren said Juneteenth is a reminder that freedom in the U.S. has not always been immediate, equal, or fully realized.

“It calls us to look honestly at all systems, histories, and, and inequities that shape people's lives,” Moren said. 

St. Cloud will celebrate its 30th annual Juneteenth event Friday. The event has grown considerably since it started three decades ago — long before it was made a federal holiday in 2021. 

Activities start at noon at Lake George and will include live music, performances, games, food vendors and contests.

In the Twin Cities, the ANIKA Foundation will hold its fifth annual Juneteenth celebration. It's the third year celebrating at the state Capitol in St. Paul.

The event includes live music from both local and national artists, family activities and a market. It also includes an awards ceremony honoring community leaders, the Community Griot Awards.

“Many of these folks have devoted 30 years or more of their lives to serving the community whenever the community needs, so this is just a small way that we try to honor those that are doing great things,” organization founder Anika Robbins said. 

The event is free and open to the public.

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Events took place across the state, including Grand Rapids, St. Cloud and the Twin Cities. 

Minnesota celebrates Juneteenth

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