Festival of Freedom

June 25, 2023 | 11am - 5pm

Celebrate the rich cultural history of Glen Echo Park in a day-long Festival of Freedom featuring live musical performances, storytelling and video booth, children’s activities, carousel rides, and more. Plus, watch a preview of Ain’t No Back to a Merry-Go-Round, the upcoming documentary film by Ilana Trachtman commemorating the desegregation of the former Glen Echo Amusement Park in 1960. Part of Heritage Montgomery's Heritage Days weekend.

heritage days logo with red, blue, green, yellow squares on black background with text

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Directions and Parking >> | Park Map >> | Why do we celebrate Juneteenth? >>

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

11am & 12pm | Story Tapestries

Bumper Car Pavilion

With a brief introduction by Arianna Ross of Story Tapestries, accomplished storyteller and historian Sheila Arnold will introduce the voices of civil rights activists as a way to challenge and inspire a younger generation to explore the topic of civil rights and become today’s history makers. They also help to examine the impact of the Civil Rights Movement on later movements, including women, people with disabilities, etc. This interactive program teaches audiences about those who paved the way to equality for so many, and everyone will be challenged to raise their voices and join the voices of so many in the past, and just like them. A DIFFERENCE CAN BE MADE!

12pm | Daily Antidote of Song

Washington Revels Office, Zoom, & Facebook

Join old-time musician Hubby Jenkins in a song celebrating Juneteenth, live from Glen Echo Park, with hosts Jo Rasi and Ysaye Barnwell.

12:30pm | Procession, Ceremony, and Commemorative Carousel Ride

Join the procession, and hear from local leaders in a ceremony commemorating the desegregation of the former Glen Echo Amusement Park in 1960. Musical performances by Washington Revels Heritage Voices. Following the program, all are invited to ride the historic Dentzel Carousel (open until 5pm).

1:45 - 5:00pm | Live Music Performances

Bumper Car Pavilion

Throughout the Day | Around the Park

Stop by the Spanish Ballroom to share your stories and lived experiences as they relate to the history of Glen Echo Park and Montgomery County or what Juneteenth means to you at the Story Tapestries video booth. All are invited to create interactive butterflies and fanciful fans decorated with images and texts celebrating the history of Juneteenth and our dreams for the future. Purchase a meal or snack from Money Muscle BBQ food truck, Praline Café, and Ben & Jerry’s. Soak up some sun and enjoy pop-up music with Munit Mesfin. Attend the Building a Mixed Race Community Artist Talk with Marvin Tupper Jones at Photoworks (2:00pm, register here).

Did you know that Glen Echo Park's carousel was central to the civil rights story of the Washington, DC area?

Learn about the Park's civil rights story!

Suggested Donation: $10

Every contribution helps us present free festivals, concerts, preserve and maintain the Park's historic buildings, and more.

Back to Diverse Voices: A Juneteenth Celebration >>