City announces 2026 Juneteenth celebration

SANDUSKY — Those representing Sandusky's government invite the community to its annual Juneteenth Freedom Celebration. This year, it's scheduled on Friday, June 19 at the Jackson Street Pier in downtown Sandusky. The event is free and open to all. Attendees are encouraged to bring chairs or blankets to enjoy the festivities on the lawn. Festivities begin at 1 p.m. and feature a full day of entertainment, family activities, local vendors, food trucks and a fireworks display. Here's a look at some more notable acts: • 1-6 p.m. — Local vendors and food trucks will be available throughout the afternoon. Community resource tables will be staffed by local health and social service organizations. • 1-8 p.m. — DJ Lee Groove will provide music throughout the afternoon. Family-friendly activities include caricatures, a drumming presentation and drum walk, face-painting, a photo booth, a make-and-take craft table, a Black History exhibit walk presented by the Sandusky Library and much more. • 5-8 p.m. — The evening program will feature guest speakers, live musical and dance performances, a Juneteenth trivia game and more. • 8 p.m. — The 2026 Lange Trust Summer Concert Series will premiere with Trouble Man: A Tribute to Marvin Gaye, presented by the Lange Trust of the Sandusky Library. • 9:30 p.m. — The annual Juneteenth fireworks show will cap the night on the Jackson Street Pier. Juneteenth is observed each year on June 19 to mark the official end of slavery in the United States. It was officially recognized as a federal holiday in 2021 and as a City of Sandusky holiday in 2022. People can visit cityofsandusky.com/juneteenth for more information.