This Sunday is Juneteenth — also known as Jubilee Day, Freedom Day, or Emancipation Day. Juneteenth is a portmanteau of the words “June” + “nineteenth” and is celebrated on June 19 every year.
In 1979, Rep. Al Edwards of Houston introduced a bill calling for Juneteenth to become a state holiday. That same year, the state legislature passed the act, and Gov. William P. Clements, Jr., signed it into law, making Texas the first state in the nation to make Juneteenth an official state holiday.
On June 17, 2021, Juneteenth officially became a federal holiday.
Emancipation Day Celebration band, June 19, 1900, Texas| Photo via Wikimedia Commons
Did you know St. John Colony, a community ~30 miles southeast of Austin, will commemorate its 150th Juneteenth this year, making it one of the longest-running Juneteenth celebrations in America?
The center of the Texas African American History Memorial at the Texas State Capitol depicts Juneteenth in Texas when African Americans were freed. | Photo by @imdxtryu
Here are some local events taking place this weekend.
Black West Austin Driving Tour | Now-Sun., June 19 | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | Neill-Cochran House Museum | $6+ | Explore Austin during this self-guided tour using pre-recorded videos to learn the history of the Wheatville, Pease Park, and Clarksville neighborhoods.
Texas Farmers’ Market Juneteenth Celebration | Sat., June 18-Sun., June 19 | Times vary | 2006 Philomena St. + 11200 Lakeline Mall Dr., Cedar Park | Free | Join the Mueller or Lakeline farmers’ markets for cooking demos from local chefs, live music, and raffles.
2022 Historical Juneteenth Parade | Sat., June 18 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Locations vary | Free | Start the Juneteenth celebrations with a parade — check out the parade route to get the best seats.
Soul Food Truck Fest | Sat., June 18 | 11 a.m.-7 p.m. | Huston-Tillotson University | $15+ | Spend the day enjoying live cooking, kids activities, shopping, and live music.
Juneteenth Park Festival | Sat., June 18 | 12-10 p.m. | Rosewood & Boggy Creek Park | Free | Enjoy live entertainment, vendors, and a fireworks show at this celebration.
Click the button below to explore more Austin-area events.
Broncho | Fri., June 17 | 9 p.m. | Empire Garage | $20 | See the band perform live for the first time in three years for their “I Know You” tour.
Saturday
Contracommon Pride Month Pop-Up Market | Sat., June 18 | 3-6 p.m. | Hill Country Galleria | Free | Enjoy an afternoon at this artisans market centered around LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC artists. 🌈
Austin Motel — Prom For All, “Under the Neon Rainbow”I | Sat., June 18 | 6-10 p.m. | Austin Motel | $25 | Join for an evening of dancing, dining, and prom photos at this Pride event — admission includes one drink + one hot dog. 🎉
Sunday
The Music of Bob Marley for Kids | Sun., June 19 | 11 a.m. | Mohawk Austin | $12 | The Rock and Roll Playhouse will perform Marley’s hit songs for kids at this outdoor concert.
Round Rock Car Show | Sun., June 19 | 10 a.m.-1 p.m. | Old Settlers Park | Free | Join this family friendly car show to see collectors, classics + antique cars. 🚗
We have amonthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
Austin City Council authorized eminent domain for Austin-Bergstrom International Airport’s expansion. The airport’s privately-owned South Terminal would need to be shut down in order to relocate aircraft taxiways for construction of a new concourse. (KXAN)
The council also approved a resolution to raise the minimum wage for most city employees to $22 an hour. Minimum city pay was last raised in 2015, when it was decided to increase it from $11.39 to $16.83 an hour. It’s currently at $15 per hour. (Austin American-Statesman)
Announced
You’ll want to putt attention to this news. Dirdie Birdie, an Austin-themed mini golf experience, is set to open this fall at The Domain. The 9,500-sqft indoor + outdoor venue’s restaurant will be led by popular local chef Nicholas Yanes. ⛳ (CultureMap Austin)
Bizalso
Samsung has selected Yates Construction, a Mississippi-based company, to work on its 1,200-acre project in Taylor. The development is expected to possibly create ~6,500 construction jobs. A construction timeline has not been released yet. (Austin Business Journal)
Afia, an Austin-based frozen Middle Eastern food company, is going into distribution with
Whole Foods. Next month, the company’s products will make its way into 400 locations across the US. 🧆(Austin Business Journal)
Open
Dean’s Italian Steakhouse, a classic American steakhouse with an Italian touch, is now open. Housed inside of the JW Marriott Austin downtown at 110 E. 2nd St., the restaurant features local Wagyu steaks, market-fresh seafood, a raw bar, and house-made pasta.
Sports
Texas athletes are celebrating after securing back-to-backLearfield Directors’ Cup titles. The Longhorns won four NCAA national titles in the spring + currently have the most successful athletic program in America. 🤘 (Austin American-Statesman)
Announced
The Paramount Theatre has announced its July film lineup for its 48th annual Paramount Summer Classic Film Series. Film highlights include “Rocky Horror Picture Show,” “My Cousin Vinny,” and “Sister Act.” View the full film list +get ticketshere.
Health
Central Texas health care systems are set to open a behavioral health hospital, two pediatric hospitals, and two other new hospitals in the next three years. The expansion plans are aimed to keep up with the growing region. 🏥 (Community Impact Austin)
Eat
Ling Wu at the Grove, a new restaurant from local chef + restaurateur Ling Wu, is planned to open summer 2023 at 2625 Denali Summit Pass near the Oakmont Heights neighborhood. The menu will center around “better and healthier Asian cuisine.” (Eater Austin)
Job
Passionate about storytelling + news, and have some serious Austin pride? ATXtoday (yep, that’s us) is hiring a City Editor to plan, write, edit, and publish the most relevant and engaging daily content about our city. See details + apply.
Shop
Austin’s looking so bright we need sunglasses — Vincero sunglasses, that is. Your weekend adventures + happy hours deserve a great pair of shades, and Vincero premium eyewear checks all the boxes: High-quality, ethically made, and (best of all) 20% off. 🕶️ *
Stat
46% of millennials feel strongly about the effects of external factors such asrising interest rates and inflation, according to Opendoor’s financial considerations survey in their 2022 Trends Report. 🏡*
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Sandy’s Old Fashioned Hamburgers, which was named after the daughter of its original owners, has been open at 603 Barton Springs Rd. since May 1946.
Before opening, business partners Andy Harris and Glen Teter did all of the construction work for their establishment themselves — talk about impressive.
In addition to old fashioned hamburgers, menu items include sandwiches, hot dogs, corn dogs, root beer floats, and dipped cones. 🍦
Read more about the establishment’s history below.
Editor’s pick: I plan on doing a big grocery haul this weekend. Actually, grocery shopping is kind of therapeutic to me, and I prefer to get most of my fruits and veggies from local farmers and vendors. In case you missed it, check out this list + map of Austin-area markets. 🍅
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