Juneteenth in Portland, Oregon

The holiday Juneteenth is celebrated annually in Portland, Oregon. A shipyard worker, Clara Peoples, is credited with spearheading the city's annual celebration in 1972.[1][2] In 2025, Brianna Wheeler of Willamette Week wrote, "Peoples emigrated from Muskogee, Okla., to Vanport, Ore., in 1945 to work at the Kaiser shipyards. Upon settling into her new working community, she was surprised to learn that Juneteenth was neither known nor celebrated among Black Northwest residents. She swiftly introduced the holiday to her co-workers. Peoples not only initiated Portland's first Juneteenth celebrations, she also helped establish the city's annual Juneteenth celebration in 1972."[3]

Mayor Ted Wheeler formally recognized Juneteenth as a paid holiday in 2020.[4] The holiday impacts local services; for example, in 2020 and 2024, city offices were closed, and the Portland Bureau of Transportation did not enforce restrictions on street parking.[5] Branches of Multnomah County Library have closed and the WES Commuter Rail has paused operations for the holiday.[6]

Events and activities

Among annual events is the Juneteenth Oregon festival, the Black Liberation Ride for Black and Brown cyclists, the "History of Black Drag in Portland" event celebrating Black drag artists, and the 8 Seconds Rodeo. The Juneteenth 5K Run on the Bluff is organized annually in north Portland by the Big Yard Foundation. The run benefits the organization and its Big Yard Academy. In addition to the usual 5K run, the 2025 event had a fun run for children.[7]

In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, thousands of people participated in a march that shut down the Interstate Bridge to traffic from Washington for an hour.[8] Other activities included a virtual "#BlackLikeMe Census" celebration hosted by We Count Oregon, a Black Futures Rally organized by Snack Bloc PDX that included a march from the Salmon Street Springs at Tom McCall Waterfront Park to Terry Schrunk Plaza, and a community art event and children's march in northeast Portland organized by Don't Shoot Portland. The Talented X hosted a celebration and march at St. Johns Plaza and a jamboree at McCoy Park.[5] In 2021, the Big Yard Foundation hosted a "Celebration of Black Lives" with a march from Peninsula Park to King Elementary School. The event had food and entertainment, raffle prizes, and a COVID-19 vaccination site.[9]

Among Juneteenth activities in 2022 was the Juneteenth Makers Marketplace in southeast Portland hosted by the Black- and woman-owned Vend Again Marketplace. The Freadom Festival, the city's first Black book festival,[10] was held at Peninsula Park. Vanport Mosaic hosted the "Juneteenth Power to the People: Black Panther Party Legacy Tour of Albina", a walking tour focused on the Black Panther Party. The Wattles Boys and Girls Club held a community health fair for Juneteenth and Father's Day.[11] Activities in 2023 included the Freadom Festival and the "Celebrating Nostalgia" concert organized by SoundTruck NW in collaboration with MusicPortland and the World Arts Foundation. The Oregonian said the concert "focused on the Black female voice" and featured Lo Steele and the duo Faith and Majesty.[12]

Various activities were held in 2024, including the "Black to Drag Dance" at The Get Down in southeast Portland, which was hosted by drag performer A'keria C. Davenport and other Black drag queens. Multnomah County's REACH program and the ACHIEVE coalition hosted "Reclaiming Black Joy" at Vance Park. The event had food, music, and performances. The Portland Juneteenth Market was held at the Cart Blocks and highlighted local Black-owned businesses. The Black Parent Initiative's second annual Black Joy Brunch was a fundraiser and ceremony at the Multnomah Hotel.[13]

In addition to the Run on the Bluff, several other events were organized in 2025. Don't Shoot Portland's The Black Gallery hosted a cookout with soul food from Kee's Loaded Kitchen. Organizers offered free art supplies and books to those in attendance.[7] The bar Barrel Room hosted the People's Poets Juneteenth Showcase and Open Mic.[7] The Bloom Agency hosted "an immersive fashion experience showcasing visionary BIPOC designers" at the Melody Ballroom. In Hillsdale, the Hillsdale Library hosted a week with various activities such as pot painting and planting, open mics for poetry, storytelling, and a Black superheroes craft fair.[14][15] The Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon hosted the third annual Maker Market as a Juneteenth celebration.[16] The Portland Art Museum's "Power of Place Juneteenth" event at Tomorrow Theater included two short film screenings and a panel discussion.[17] The Miracles Club, a recovery center for the local Black community, hosted a Juneteenth celebration with a barbecue, guest speakers, live music, vendors, and activities for children.[3]

Some sites have offered free admission on Juneteenth, including the Leach Botanical Garden and the Portland Art Museum.[1][7] Some local businesses have offered specials and hosted fundraisers; in 2020, Powell's Books donated 30 percent of sales of Don't Shoot Portland and other organizations, and Voodoo Doughnut sold Juneteenth Sprinkle Cakes with proceeds benefiting the Jack and Jill Foundation.[5]

Juneteenth Oregon

The annual Oregon Juneteenth festival was founded by Clara Peoples.[13] The festival has included a parade since 2016.[18] In 2023, Rosemarie Stein of The Oregonian described Juneteenth Oregon as Portland's largest Juneteenth event and "a signature event" of the Portland Rose Festival.[12]

In 2020, during the pandemic, the event was held online and featured Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty.[5] In 2021, Juneteenth Oregon was also held virtually and featured performances and appearances by Governor Kate Brown and Senator Jeff Merkley.[9] In 2022, chief Sara Boone of Portland Fire & Rescue was the grand marshal of the parade and festival performers included singer Tahirah Memory and saxophonist Mike Phillips.[11] Approximately 500 people participated in the parade.[19][20] Pleasure headlined the 52nd festival at Lillis Albina Park in 2024.[21][22]

In 2025, the Clara Peoples Freedom Trail Parade departed from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School and the festival had food and drink options, music, and a wine garden.[14] Hundreds of people attended and Memory was the headliner.[23][24]

Black Liberation Ride

The Black Liberation Ride is an annual community cycling event for Black and Brown people. The 2020 event was held at Irving Park in northeast Portland.[5] In 2021, the ride was held at Laurelhurst Park in the southeast Portland part of the Laurelhurst neighborhood.[9] The cycling organization Shift hosted the tenth annual ride at Irving Park in 2025.[14]

"History of Black Drag in Portland"

External media
Community celebrates the history of Black drag in Portland on YouTube (2024), KPTV

In 2022, the "History of Black Drag in Portland" event at the Kennedy School included a panel and performances by Alexis Campbell Starr, Coco Jem Holiday, and other drag artists.[11] The 2023 event at the same venue also had a panel focused "on the role of drag and specifically of Black performers in the Portland entertainment scene since the 1960s",[25] a question-and-answer session, and performances.[26][27][28] The local organization Race Talks hosted the 2024 event,[29] as well as the fourth annual[14] event at the Kennedy School in 2025. The event "highlight[ed] the intersection between Black culture and LGBTQ+ culture" and included drag performances and a panel co-hosted by Isaiah Esquire and Lawanda Jackson.[7]

8 Seconds Rodeo

The 8 Seconds Rodeo (sometimes referred to as the "Juneteenth Rodeo")[30] is an annual Black rodeo founded in 2023.[31][32] The inaugural event was the city's first ever Black rodeo.[33][34] Approximately 2,500 and 7,200 people attended the 2023 and 2024 events at the Portland Expo Center and Veterans Memorial Coliseum, respectively.[35][36] forty athletes competed in 2023 and 2024.[37][38] Approximately 8,000 people were expected to attend the 2025 event at Veterans Memorial Coliseum.[23][39] Activities have included barrel racing, bull riding, and roping lessons.[40][41]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Portland's 50th Juneteenth events this weekend". KPTV. 2022-06-17. Retrieved 2026-02-25.
  2. ^ "Clara Peoples Freedom Trail Parade kicks off Juneteenth events in Portland". KGW. 2022-06-17. Archived from the original on 2022-06-28. Retrieved 2026-02-25. The celebration of Juneteenth Oregon dates back to 1945 when the late and beloved community leader, Clara Peoples, introduced the tradition from Muskogee, Oklahoma, to her co-workers at the Kaiser Shipyards in Portland. Upon moving to Portland in 1945, Clara Peoples was surprised to learn that the Juneteenth holiday was unknown in this part of the country. Now in its 50th year, Clara helped to initiate Portland's annual citywide Juneteenth celebration in 1972.
  3. ^ a b "80 Years of Juneteenth in Oregon". Willamette Week. 2025-06-10. Retrieved 2026-02-25.
  4. ^ "City of Portland to make Juneteenth a paid holiday". The Register-Guard. Archived from the original on 2021-08-05. Retrieved 2026-02-25.
  5. ^ a b c d e "Ways to honor and celebrate Juneteenth in the Portland metro area". KATU. 2020-06-18. Retrieved 2026-02-25.
  6. ^ Stein, Rosemarie (2024-06-17). "Closures and schedule adjustments for Juneteenth holiday in Oregon, Wednesday, June 19". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on 2025-07-23. Retrieved 2026-02-25.
  7. ^ a b c d e "Guide to Juneteenth events throughout Portland". KOIN. 2025-06-14. Archived from the original on 2025-07-20. Retrieved 2026-02-25.
  8. ^ Ryan, Jim; Nguyen, Ryan; Hardgrave, Alex; Smalstig, Madison (2020-06-19). "Marches, demonstrations commemorate Juneteenth across Portland, partly shut down Interstate Bridge". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on 2025-01-22. Retrieved 2026-02-25.
  9. ^ a b c Acker, Lizzy (2021-06-18). "10 ways to observe Juneteenth in Portland this weekend". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on 2024-12-19. Retrieved 2026-02-25.
  10. ^ "Portland's inaugural Freadom Festival celebrates Black literacy and liberation". Oregon Public Broadcasting. Archived from the original on 2025-07-22. Retrieved 2026-02-25.
  11. ^ a b c "Here's Where to Celebrate Juneteenth in Portland". Portland Monthly. Archived from the original on 2023-04-01. Retrieved 2026-02-25.
  12. ^ a b Stein, Rosemarie (2023-06-13). "Juneteenth 2023: Where to celebrate across Oregon, SW Washington". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on 2023-07-14. Retrieved 2026-02-25.
  13. ^ a b "Where to find Juneteenth celebrations throughout Portland". KOIN. 2024-06-14. Archived from the original on 2024-06-15. Retrieved 2026-02-25.
  14. ^ a b c d Williams, Kale (2025-06-16). "Your Juneteenth events guide". Axios Portland. Retrieved 2026-02-25.
  15. ^ Profenna, Chiara (2025-06-05). "Oregon events honor Juneteenth 2025 with music, food and reflection". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on 2025-09-29. Retrieved 2026-02-25.
  16. ^ "Portlanders come together to commemorate and celebrate Juneteenth". KGW. 2025-06-19. Retrieved 2026-02-25.
  17. ^ Clarke, Ellen (June 11, 2025). "Portland filmmakers celebrate Black history in Juneteenth event". Street Roots.
  18. ^ Barr, Allison (2025-06-21). "Juneteenth Oregon festival returns for 53rd year". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on 2025-06-23. Retrieved 2026-02-25.
  19. ^ Graves, Mark. "Hundreds celebrate Juneteenth 2022 in NE Portland". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on 2022-06-19. Retrieved 2026-02-25.
  20. ^ "Gallery: Portlanders celebrate, march in Juneteenth parade". KOIN. 2022-06-19. Archived from the original on 2022-06-28. Retrieved 2026-02-25.
  21. ^ "Influential Portland band Pleasure headlines Oregon Juneteenth Festival". Oregon Public Broadcasting. Archived from the original on 2025-06-06. Retrieved 2026-02-25.
  22. ^ "Portland festival-goers treated to rare performance by iconic funk band Pleasure". Oregon Public Broadcasting. Archived from the original on 2024-12-09. Retrieved 2026-02-25.
  23. ^ a b Clarke, Ellen (2025-06-11). "Oregon celebrates Juneteenth". Street Roots. Retrieved 2026-02-25.
  24. ^ "Portlanders celebrate Juneteenth with 53rd Clara Peoples Freedom Trail Parade, festival". KGW. 2025-06-21. Retrieved 2026-02-25.
  25. ^ "Portland Upgrades to 2 Months of Pride: Parades and Events 2023". Portland Monthly. Retrieved 2026-02-25.
  26. ^ "Race Talks Presents an Opportunity to Hear Black Drag Artists Tell the History of Black Drag in Portland". Portland Mercury. Archived from the original on 2025-02-15. Retrieved 2026-02-25.
  27. ^ Profenna, Chiara (2023-06-16). "Race Talks celebrates history of Black drag in Portland". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on 2026-02-11. Retrieved 2026-02-25.
  28. ^ Haug, Oliver (2023-06-16). "How to Celebrate Pride in All 50 States". Them. Archived from the original on 2026-01-01. Retrieved 2026-02-25.
  29. ^ "Community celebrates the history of Black drag in Portland". KPTV. 2024-06-14. Archived from the original on 2024-06-14. Retrieved 2026-02-25.
  30. ^ "Black Cowboys in Portland? Yep, the Juneteenth Rodeo Is Here". Portland Monthly. Retrieved 2026-02-25.
  31. ^ "Black rodeo photo project launches Portland '8 Seconds Juneteenth Rodeo'". Oregon Public Broadcasting. Retrieved 2026-02-25.
  32. ^ Dollins, Abigail. "8 Seconds Juneteenth Rodeo in Portland celebrates Black rodeo culture". Statesman Journal. Retrieved 2026-02-25.
  33. ^ "Celebrating Black cowboy traditions in Portland: Juneteenth Rodeo". KGW. 2023-06-15. Retrieved 2026-02-25.
  34. ^ "Rodeo brings Black cowboy culture to Portland over Juneteenth weekend". Oregon Public Broadcasting. Archived from the original on 2026-01-13. Retrieved 2026-02-25.
  35. ^ "Yeehaw for all: How photographer Ivan McClellan's vision brought a Black rodeo boom to Portland". Retrieved 2026-02-25.
  36. ^ Vondersmith, Jason (2025-06-10). "Popular 8 Seconds Rodeo ready for another go-round in Portland". Portland Tribune. Archived from the original on 2025-06-22. Retrieved 2026-02-25.
  37. ^ "'It's beautiful and wonderful': Portland's first sold-out historic Black rodeo, 'Eight Seconds Juneteenth Rodeo' a hit in Oregon". KGW. 2023-06-19. Archived from the original on 2023-06-24. Retrieved 2026-02-25.
  38. ^ Profenna, Chiara (2024-06-17). "Eight Seconds Juneteenth Rodeo ropes in Portland crowds". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on 2025-06-13. Retrieved 2026-02-25. The second annual Eight Seconds Juneteenth Rodeo was held at Veterans Memorial Coliseum on June 16. The sold-out show drew 7,200 attendees and 40 athletes from across the country.
  39. ^ Cortez, Kimberly (2025-06-13). "Juneteenth rodeo returns to Portland bolder than ever for its 3rd year". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on 2025-07-24. Retrieved 2026-02-25.
  40. ^ Lewis, Brent; Medina, Eduardo (2023-06-19). "These Cowboys Build a New Juneteenth Tradition at a Rodeo in Portland". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 2026-01-13. Retrieved 2026-02-25.
  41. ^ "Portland's first Black rodeo celebrates culture and community". The Oregonian. 2023-06-18. Archived from the original on 2026-01-13. Retrieved 2026-02-25.

External media

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.