The city of Gainesville started its annual “Journey to Juneteenth” on Wednesday, the 161st anniversary of Florida Emancipation Day, with a flag raising at City Hall Plaza. 

Gainesville will host a series of events leading to Juneteenth (June 19) that include a Florida Emancipation Celebration on Saturday at the Cotton Club Museum and Cultural Center, which is receiving local government support for its building.  

The city started “Journey to Juneteenth” six years ago, and Zoriah Folston, director of the Office of Equity and Inclusion, said Gainesville is the only city in the nation to hold a month-long celebration. He said other cities now reach out and ask about the process.  

Vivian Filer, chairman of the Cotton Club Museum and Cultural Center, said others now ask how Gainesville puts on the celebration. She thanked the commissioners for taking up the task. 

“Others now want to know how we do a month-long celebration,” Filer said. “They’re asking us that because it was created here by the genius in my city.” 

Commissioner Cynthia Chestnut outlined the history of both Juneteenth, when Union General Gordon Granger announced freedom to slaves in Galveston, Texas, and Florida Emancipation Day, when Union General Ed McCook read the Emancipation Proclamation in Tallahassee. 

She noted that Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021, but Florida has not recognized it as a state holiday. 

Chestnut recalled growing up in Tallahassee and the celebration on May 20 with a picnic and the braiding of the flagpole at Florida A&M University.  

“When we look at how far we have come in pursuit of freedom, equality and justice, we should also find the courage to keep moving forward,” Chestnut said. “Your presence here today matters because it reflects the community willing to face history honestly and use it to build a better future for all. That is how we create pathways of promise for every member of our community.” 

Mayor Harvey Ward also touched on facing history honestly. He said we lift heavy things physically to increase strength, and we should lift heavy things mentally, too. 

“When it comes to talking about heavy things, to carrying heavy things emotionally, it’s harder to do that, but that’s how we get stronger as a community,” Ward said. “That’s how we get stronger as a state [and] as a nation, by facing and carrying and talking about and working through heavy, difficult things.” 

The ceremony included the singing of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” along with the raising of the Juneteenth flag. Ward also issued a proclamation declaring May 20, 2026, through June 19, 2026, as “Journey to Juneteenth” within the city.