NASHVILLE, TN — Juneteenth615, Nashville’s longest-running celebration of the Juneteenth holiday, will be held Wednesday, June 19, from 5–9:30 p.m. at historic Fort Negley Park. The annual event features performances from musicians, dancers and comedians, remarks from Nashville’s Mayor Freddie O’Connell, and a fireworks show to conclude the night.
“Nashville is a big event town, and we want to make Juneteenth615 bigger than ever before this year,” said Willie “Big Fella” Sims Jr., CEO of FELLAVISION. “We’re going to honor the history of the ancestors who built Fort Negley, but we’re going to have a good time, too. Most of all, we’re going to do it big.”
The event, powered by FELLAVISION and the African American Cultural Alliance, features returning performers such as the Nashville African American Wind Symphony and Baba Musa and Nature’s Drummers.
Nonprofit organization Book’em will also have their Book Bus on-site, giving away 500 children’s and young-adult books featuring Black lead characters or written by Black authors.
In addition to the live music and book giveaway, there will be vendors, food trucks, a kids’ corner and a fireworks finale. Visitors will have the chance to take tours of Fort Negley and reenactments that teach about the site’s Civil War significance and connection to the Juneteenth holiday. Golf cart tours will be available as needed.
“Any chance we get to honor our ancestors is a special one,” said Jeneene Blackman, executive director of the African American Cultural Alliance. “When we come together on Fort Negley’s hallowed ground for Juneteenth615 to remember their sacrifice and celebrate our freedom, I believe we pay them one of the greatest honors.”
Juneteenth615 is entirely funded by community donations and sponsorships. This year’s Celebration Sponsorship comes from Amazon, which has been a supporter of the event in previous years.
“Amazon is honored to support Juneteenth615 for the third consecutive year,” said Courtney Ross, senior manager, community engagement at Amazon. “Amazon strives for inclusive experiences everywhere, so we’re excited to contribute to this community event that creates a safe space to celebrate Juneteenth.”
Individuals who may be interested in contributing to the event can do so by visiting Juneteenth615.com/donate-now.
Ahead of Juneteenth615, there will be many ways to celebrate throughout Nashville. Locals and visitors alike can participate in Music City Freedom Festival, Black on Buchanan and more.
Taste of Freedom Restaurant Week, presented by Juneteenth615, will also highlight Black-owned restaurants by offering unique Juneteenth specials at participating restaurants around Nashville from June 9-19. A full list of participating restaurants can be found by visiting TasteOfFreedom615.com.
For more information, visit juneteenth615.com and follow the event on Facebook and Instagram.
The largest inland stone fortification built during the Civil War, Fort Negley stood as the centerpiece of Union-occupied Nashville. From August through December 1862, more than 2,700 conscript laborers, predominately runaway slaves and free Blacks, constructed Fort Negley atop St. Cloud Hill as part of a massive fortification system. The site’s artillery was instrumental in driving off attacks during the Battle of Nashville on Dec. 15 and 16, 1864. Many of the free slaves who built and defended Fort Negley eventually created neighborhoods like Edgehill, Edgefield and Jefferson Street. The site, which now includes accessible walkways and a visitor center, is listed as a Site of Memory in the Slave Route Project of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).