Carrie Dixon has been celebrating Juneteenth before it was even made a federal holiday in 2021 by former President Joe Biden to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States.
This year’s Juneteenth celebration marks 160 years after the 13th Amendment was proposed by Congress and the enslaved African people in Galveston, Texas, were told they were free due to the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation two years prior.
“It’s like the Black Fourth of July,” Dixon, of the Village of De Luna, said. “We celebrate the true meaning of freedom. We don’t have to depend on anyone else for our livelihood or on people to dictate our day-to-day living, our day-to-day income or our day-to-day existence.”
Dixon, president of The African American Club of The Villages, said the club will be hosting an afternoon of Jubilee with dancing, praises, games and more during the Juneteenth Freedom Day Potluck from 3 to 6 p.m. on June 15 at Rohan Recreation Center, 850 Kristine Way, Wildwood.
“This year, we are doing a traditional celebration more how our enslaved ancestors would have celebrated after hearing about the Emancipation Proclamation two years after it was signed, with a day of dancing praying and singing,” Dixon said. “In enslavement we were really restricted to express and experience our African heritage through dance. Drumming and dancing that is in our DNA. It lives in us and we thrive when we aren’t restricted. Since 1865 we have blossomed into taking over the music industry from jazz to hip hop.”
Expression of cultural heritage through food will also be highlighted during the TAAC event, as judges gather to determine the winner of the Best Potato Salad Contest — what Dixon refers to as a staple dish at all her family events.
“For any picnic of holiday we would have potato salad,” Dixon said. “Whether it’s 4th of July, Thanksgiving or Christmas, potato salad was a staple at our family events. I like mine more creamy than lumpy with mayo and mustard and paprika sprinkled on top. “
Dixon said this year’s event will bring a needed celebration of Black sacrifice and contributions in the state and nation — though Juneteenth isn’t an official holiday in Florida.
“Florida is in the dark ages when it comes to race relations,” Dixon said. “Historically, Florida has been behind the times in recognizing diversity and inclusion and recognizing the contributions of all groups, so it doesn’t surprise me Juneteenth isn’t a state holiday. It doesn’t bother me either because it’s a Federal holiday and I celebrated it before then.”
“It was important in 1865 for our ancestors to recognize we had more freedom than we did in enslavement and take advantage of those freedom,” Dixon said. “We will do the same. I’m big on making things happen for me, my children, and my people.”
For more information about the event or to secure your ticket for the bring your own food event, visit taaclub.org.
Dr. Opal Lee is considered the Grandmother of Juneteenth for her advocacy of making the celebration a federal holiday.
“(Juneteenth) means freedom, and I don’t mean freedom for Black people, & freedom for people in Texas. It means freedom for everybody,” Lee said. “Juneteenth is a time for reflection. Juneteenth is a day of music and praise. Juneteenth is a jamboree of feasting and fellowship.”
Save the date for the upcoming Juneteenth celebrations happening across Florida during June.
Juneteenth: Celebrating Freedom, Art and Culture, free, 12 to 7 p.m., June 21, Downtown Leesburg, 100 4th Street, Leesburg, artistwap.com: Immerse yourself in the cultural celebration of Juneteenth featuring art, music, majorette and drumline performances.
Juneteenth Celebration, free, 5 to 9 p.m., June 13, Lake David Park, 243 S. Lake Ave., Groveland, groveland-fl.gov: Honor the sacrifices of African Americans from the past as you are empowered by history and inspired to do better tomorrow by key speakers and entertainment during the Juneteenth Celebration hosted by the City of Groveland in partnership with Hope International Church. Along with the annual BBQ competition there will be music and other vendors.
Daytona Beach Juneteenth: Free Community Festival, free , 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., June 14, Cypress Park, 981 George W. Engram Blvd., Daytona Beach, juneteenthdaytona.com: Savor the sweet flavors during the annual Pound Cake Competition during the family fun Juneteenth celebration in Daytona Beach. Have a good time with cultural and community organization live music and more all a part of the longest running Juneteenth celebration in Florida at 27 years.
1887 Juneteenth Fest, free, 12 to 6 p.m., June 21, Hungerford Field, Eatonville, esteamedlearninginc.org/1887-juneteenth: Join the Juneteenth jubilee mixing education and history this live entertainment an eSTEAMed baby and kid zone and more. There will be vendors and local resources tabling the event.
5th Annual Facets of Freedom Juneteenth Festival, free, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., June 19, Orlando Family Stage, 1001 E Princeton St, Orlando, blacktheatregirlmagic.org: Stroll through the Black-owned business market or take your little one to the Children’s Juneteenth Lunch and Learn during the full 12 hour event. From reading books about Juneteenth, creating art or getting your face painted there will be a lot of cultural creativity throughout the event. There will also be performances from 6 to 8 p.m. with musical performances, dance and more focusing on Black artwork.
Ocala Juneteenth Celebration Commission- Stage Play, “Keep on Pressin’”, $10 in advance, $15 at the door, 7 to 10 p.m. June 21, Mary Sue Rich Community Center at Reed Place, 1821 Northwest 21st Avenue Ocala, ocalamarion.com: Sit and enjoy the community stage play mixing real-life issues and comedy “Keep on Pressin’” hosted by the Ocala Juneteenth Celebration Commission.
2025 Juneteenth Celebration: Celebrating History, Health & Harmony, free, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., June 21, New Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church, Inc., 2511 E. Columbus Drive, Tampa: Put your health first during the free community focused health event offering cancer screenings, panel discussions and wellness activities. Take advantage of breast prostate, lunch, head and neck and skin cancer screenings offered during the event hosted by Moffitt Community Outreach & Engagement.
ROC The Block Annual Juneteenth Festival, free, 3:00 to 9 p.m., June 21, Raymond James Stadium, 4201 N Dale Mabry Hwy Tampa, roctheblockinc.com/events: Bring your family to the 5th annual cultural festival featuring a DJ, a job fair, a health clinic, a KidZone and more that will benefit the whole Tampa community.
Juneteenth Art & Film Expo, $20 to $40, 4 to 9 p.m., June 20, St Cloud Community Center, 3101 17th Street St. Cloud,eventbrite.com/e/juneteenth-art-film-expo-tickets-1258850187799: Be awed by the interactive art and film on display for the art event celebrating Juneteenth and cultural creativity.
Juneteenth: Voices of Freedom, free, 7:30 p.m., June 21, Terry Concert Hall, Dolphin Drive, Jacksonville, ritzchamberplayers.org/juneteenth-celebration-1: Be serenaded with the sounds of freedom during the classical composition concert by the Ritz Chamber Players that nods to the cycle of struggle and resilience seen from African America.
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