Step into history and celebrate Juneteenth in Fort Worth
Published on June 11, 2023
Juneteenth celebrates the triumph of the human spirit over slavery. It honors those formerly enslaved African Americans who survived the inhumane institution of chattel slavery and celebrates African American freedom and achievement, while encouraging continuous self-development and respect for all cultures.
Find details on these local activities below:
- Opal Lee’s Walk for Freedom
- City of Fort Worth Juneteenth program telecast
- Free admission at Botanic Garden
- Juneteenth holiday closures and schedule changes
Walk with Opal
A centerpiece of the celebration locally will be Opal’s Walk for Freedom. Employee groups, family and friends are encouraged to join in. In fact, the City of Fort Worth will have a large contingent of employees and supporters joining the walk.
Participants will walk 2.5 miles on Monday, June 19, to commemorate the Juneteenth holiday. The walk recognizes the two and a half years it took for the news and enforcement of freedom to reach Texas. This year’s walk will be covered live on NBC-5 and other affiliates around the country.
The cost to register is $39.74, which includes a commemorative T-shirt. ($6.19 will be donated to the soon-to-debut National Juneteenth Museum and the rest goes to producing Opal’s Walk.)
Learn more details and register to walk.
City of Fort Worth program to be telecast
The City’s Diversity & Inclusion Employee Committee is hosting a program, From Whence We Came, noon-1 p.m. Thursday, June. 15, which will be broadcast live on FWTV and the City’s YouTube channel. It also will be available to view on demand on both platforms 24 hours after the conclusion of the live broadcast.
- The program will begin with a presentation on the history of the Port Sullivan Plantation Home, also known as the Foster House at Log Cabin Village, and recently dedicated Stopping Stones that acknowledge the life of Jefferson Walton and a woman known only as Molly for their contributions to our community’s history.
- It also will include a theatrical presentation by Sheran Goodspeed Keyton, comprised of original monologues, poetry from Langston Hughes and Maya Angelou, and music that ranges from spirituals to African folk songs.
Learn more.
Free admission at Botanic Garden
The Fort Worth Botanic Garden invites guests to visit the Garden with free admission Monday, June 19, in honor of the Juneteenth federal holiday, thanks to the generosity of R Bank, which makes this opportunity accessible to all for the second year in a row.
“The significance of Juneteenth spans our nation, but we are proud to celebrate this day in Fort Worth, home of the future National Juneteenth Museum and activist Opal Lee,” said FWBG CEO and President Patrick Newman. “Offering free admission is our way of honoring this significant holiday. We invite the community to create emotional souvenirs with their family and friends at the Garden on Juneteenth, and we thank R Bank for making it possible again this year.”
City of Fort Worth holiday closures schedule
Most city offices, including City Hall, will be closed Monday, June 19, for the Juneteenth holiday. Emergency services will be available as usual.
Solid waste: There will be no changes in garbage, recycle, yard waste or bulk collection schedules on June 19. Drop-off stations and the Environmental Collection Center will be closed. If you have questions or need assistance, call 817-392-1234.
Animal Care & Control: The Fort Worth Animal Shelter’s South Campus and North Campus will be closed to the public on June 19. PetSmart adoption locations at Alliance and Hulen will be open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Recreational amenities: Community centers, Haws Athletic Center and Fort Worth @6 will be closed June 19. Marine Park Pool will be closed.
Water Department: To access the Water Department’s automated system for payments and account inquiries or to report an emergency, call the 24-hour call center at 817-392-4477.
Public transit: Trinity Metro will operate modified services on June 19. Trinity Metro bus and ACCESS paratransit services operate on Sunday schedules. TEXRail, TRE, ZIPZONE and The Dash will operate on regular schedules. The customer care kiosk is closed, but customer care phones at 817-215-8600 will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Trinity Metro administrative offices will be closed.
City Council: No City Council meetings are scheduled for Tuesday, June 20.
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