The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is excited to kick off the celebration of Juneteenth in Indianapolis with our annual Juneteenth Jamboree. The celebration will take place on Saturday, June 3 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is free, but advance registration is required beginning May 25 at childrensmuseum.org.
“The museum has been celebrating this important and historic holiday since 1990,” said Jennifer Pace Robinson, president, and CEO of The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis. “We invite the community to come out and learn about Juneteenth and celebrate freedom with their families.”
This year, the museum has teamed up with a number of community partners with expertise in the history and significance of Juneteenth to assist us in planning our event. We are thrilled to be able to offer several special activities and experiences including live performances by the Major Taylor Band and the Griot Drum Ensemble. Families will also enjoy Juneteenth Story Time with Portia Jackson, create art alongside local artists Amiah Mims, Wavy Blayne, Kyng Rhodes, and Eupheme Fleming, plus attend a workshop by one of our newest visiting artists, Ess McKee. Visitors can leave their mark on our Murals for Justice activity, put their brains to the test in our Juneteenth Trivia, shop our community marketplace, and receive a giveaway while supplies last.
New this year, visitors will have the opportunity to meet and greet with Miss Indy Juneteenth and create their own Sashes of Affirmations. The Crown H.E.R. Miss Indy Juneteenth Scholarship Pageant was established in Indianapolis in 2020 by Indy Juneteenth Inc. This pageant is unique because it provides a platform to display African American women's talent, beauty, and skills. The museum is proud to partner with Indy Juneteenth Inc. and will host the pageant in the museum’s Lilly Theater on June 3, 2023, from 6 – 9 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at indyjuneteenth.org. Also new this year, the museum will display the beautiful dresses worn by the past two Miss Indy Juneteenth winners, which opens May 26 through July 3.
For more information about our Juneteenth Jamboree, please visit childrensmuseum.org/juneteenth.