Black in the Gorge Invites all to Celebrate Freedom at Juneteenth Festival in Hood River
Saxophonist Eldon T. Jones will be performing on Friday at Jackson Park for the Juneteenth Festival in Hood River.
By Aaron Girdham
The Dalles, Ore., June 16, 2026 — Black in the Gorge is inviting the entire community to celebrate freedom, culture and unity during its fourth annual Juneteenth celebration on June 19 at Jackson Park in Hood River. The free event, open to all ages, will run from 3 to 8 p.m. and feature live music, food, crafts, dancing and activities for families.
Juneteenth honors a unique American holiday that may not be widely known to all citizens but is an important part of the nation's history. Also known as Freedom Day, it commemorates the complete liberation of enslaved Black Americans following the Civil War. On June 19, 1865—two years and six months after the Emancipation Proclamation, and more than two months after the war effectively ended—Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced that enslaved people were free. Until then, many enslaved Texans had not received the news.
Here is the American legal decree issued in 1865 General 0rders no. 3 delivered to Galveston: It states above: “The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired labor. The freedmen are advised to remain quietly at their present homes and work for wages. They are informed that they will not be allowed to collect at military posts and that they will not be supported in idleness either there or elsewhere.” - By order of Major General Granger. Courtesy Wikipedia.
The freedmen of Galveston soon established June 19 as an annual day of remembrance and celebration, and the observance gradually spread across the country. Texas became the first state to recognize Juneteenth as an official holiday in 1980, and in 2021 it was designated a federal holiday by the U.S. government. Although federal recognition is recent, the tradition itself has been celebrated for more than 160 years.
Each year, Black in the Gorge hosts a Juneteenth celebration that highlights Black culture while preserving the legacy of liberation for future generations. This year's theme, "Liberation," reflects the active state of being liberated or freed.
Celebration at Jackson park includes singer-songwriter Marie Louise
"We really want to make this more about community this year," said Robin Allen, a Black in the Gorge planning committee member, during an interview last week. "We want to make it very clear that this event is for everyone. It is a good opportunity for everyone to support each other in a time when we need that more than ever."
Reflecting on last year's gathering at Jackson Park, Allen added, "This is what world peace feels like."
B.I.G. Members-Ann Harris and Quincy Butler. Photo by Robin Allen
The celebration will include face painting, cake walks and other children's activities, along with an Electric Slide group dance, raffles, hands-on crafts, an artisan and food marketplace, and live musical performances throughout the afternoon and evening.
Attendees can also enjoy a traditional Juneteenth meal of red beans, rice, cornbread and peach cobbler prepared by Riverside Church. Additional food vendors include Lake Taco, Sunrise Juice and Frosty Peak.
Red Elk Spirit Drum are set to perform.
Featured performers include Red Elk Spirit Drum, singer-songwriter Marie Louise, singer-songwriter Eva, the Gorge Freedom Choir, guitarist Arturo Leyva, LaRhonda Steele and band, and saxophonist Eldon T. Jones.
Black in the Gorge (BIG) is hosting the event for the fourth consecutive year. The planning committee includes BIG members Evelyn Charity, Robin Allen, Ann Harris, Jade Parker, Quincy Butler and August Oaks.
Gorge Freedom Choir
August Oaks, curator and producer of the Black History Month exhibition "Black Infinity House" at Columbia Center for the Arts, said of the event, "It's awesome to see the community come together, support the group and celebrate one another."
Quincy Butler, organizer of the Atlanta University Young Democratic Socialists of America (AUC YDSA) and a student at Morehouse College, said, "I think it will be a great opportunity to support our Black community here in the Gorge."
Evelyn Charity echoed that sentiment.
"Having the whole community come out to meet and be represented is, I think, the best thing," Charity said.
Hood River Mayor Paul Blackburn is expected to attend the festival and offer remarks during the celebration.
Organizers emphasize that the event is intended for everyone, regardless of background, and hope community members will come together to honor history, celebrate culture and enjoy an afternoon of music, food and fellowship.
