By Elliott Sage

June 1, 2025 — The Mosaic Templars Cultural Center (MTCC) will kick off a full slate of activities for its 16^th annual “Juneteenth in Da Rock” celebration on Saturday, June 21, at various locations around downtown Little Rock. 

MTCC officials are expecting between 5,000 and 7,000 attendees for this year’s downtown event, which will feature appearances by high-profile guests and celebrities, as well as state and local leaders, and entertainment and cultural icons. Sponsored by MTCC in observance of the federal holiday celebrating African American history and culture in Arkansas, the event is free and open to the public.

Long celebrated by African Americans across the South, Juneteenth commemorates when Union Army Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger enforced the Emancipation Proclamation in Texas on June 19, 1865, nearly three years after President Abraham Lincoln had issued the historic executive order.

Juneteenth in Da Rock is unique because it takes place in the very footprint of the city’s early celebrations, dating back to the 1880s. These early celebrations, known as Freedom Day and Emancipation Day, were closely tied to the Mosaic Templars of America, an organization that played a central role in the city’s African American history.

Emancipation Day celebrations, some of the first recorded Juneteenth observances in Arkansas, took place in Little Rock and other cities, such as Texarkana, Pine Bluff, and Helena, in the 1880s. These celebrations, often hosted by local churches, colleges, and community organizations, were filled with picnics, music, games, cake walks, reading of the Emancipation Proclamation, and other celebratory activities.

In June 2021, former President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law, establishing June 19 as a legal public holiday starting in 2022. The new act establishes the first federal holiday since 1983, when Martin Luther King Jr. Day was created.

Some of the local Juneteenth in Da Rock festivities include:

• Juneteenth in Da Rock 5K Walk/Run (registration required here) – 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.
• Juneteenth in Da Rock Street Festival & Main Stage, West Ninth Street at MTCC – 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
• Juneteenth Vendor Walk & Food Truck Fest, West Ninth and South Arch Streets – 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
• Juneteenth in Da Rock Kids Zone, West Ninth and South Arch Streets – 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

To view Arkansas Black Vitality’s list of Juneteenth celebrations across the state, click here. If you would like to add your Juneteenth celebration to the list, send an email to: Angel@ArkansasVitality.com

To register for the 5K, visit JuneteenthLittleRock.com. The 4th Annual Juneteenth 5K run/walk is an opportunity for participants to support the mission of the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center, as well as passing by many of the city’s African American historical sites, including Arkansas Baptist College, Little Rock Central High School, and Philander Smith College.

Runners will also pass the home of Mifflin Gibbs, the first African American elected judge in the country.  Participants will finish the day by joining MTCC for its annual Juneteenth celebration on historic West 9th Street.

The downtown street festival is a family-friendly event that will feature live music, local vendors, food, and activities for all ages. Throughout the day, attendees can enjoy performances by incredible artists, shop with local vendors, and participate in a variety of activities designed to highlight the rich history and significance of Juneteenth. 

Attendees are encouraged to bring their lawn chairs to enjoy the Main Stage comfortably. This area provides a relaxed setting near the main stage, enabling guests to immerse themselves in the day’s festivities fully. To register for the event, please visit this link.

Featuring over 100 local merchants and food vendors, the 2025 Vendor Walk showcases a diverse array of offerings, including fashion, food, jewelry, support services, government agencies, and nonprofits. This event offers a platform to support local, independently owned businesses while learning about resources and organizations eager to engage with the community and celebrate Juneteenth together. 

The year’s Juneteenth Kids Zone is expected to be the largest yet. This year kids of all ages can enjoy arts and crafts inspired by Black History, festive face painting, thrilling games, exciting rides, and nonstop entertainment spread across an entire block of fun.

MTCC receives support in the production of Juneteenth from the nonprofit Friends of the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center. For more information about Juneteenth, please contact Brian Rodgers at brian.rodgers@arkansas.gov