06/09/2026
The recognition of a historic American moment will bring the communities of the Cortland area together with the return of the Juneteenth Celebration on Friday, June 19, from noon to 3 p.m. at Courthouse Park.
The annual family-friendly event is free to attend and open to the public.
It will once again be hosted by C4, the Cortland County Community of Color — a collaborative initiative between SUNY Cortland and Tompkins Cortland Community College (TC3).
Bernice Cooper, co-chair of C4 and a SUNY Cortland administrative assistant for Campus Technology Services, noted it’s inspiring to see participants come together in one space to celebrate, connect and learn.
“The importance of putting on a celebration like this is that Juneteenth is not only a celebration of freedom, but also a reminder of history, resilience, culture and community,” she said.
Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, commemorates June 19, 1865, the day Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, and enforced the Emancipation Proclamation, officially freeing the last remaining enslaved African Americans in the Confederacy.
Although President Abraham Lincoln had issued the proclamation over two years earlier, enforcement had not reached many areas still under Confederate control.
Recognized as the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States, Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021.
Live music will entertain audiences at the Cortland event. Three food trucks also are confirmed, with Latin and barbecue dishes and dessert available for purchase.
Kid-friendly attractions and activities are also planned for families who attend.
“My hope is that participants leave feeling connected, informed, welcomed and proud to be part of a community that recognizes and celebrates this important day,” Cooper said.