Celebrate Juneteenth in Ottumwa on June 19th
Ottumwa's Juneteenth Celebration promises a day filled with history, entertainment, food, vendors, and unity.
OTTUMWA - The 4th Annual Ottumwa Juneteenth Celebration will take place on June 19, 2025, 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM, in Central Park, 106 N. Court Street, Ottumwa, IA. Everyone is invited to attend this free, family-friendly event filled with history, food, entertainment, and music that embraces the theme of “unity in the community.”
The celebration will open with music by DJ Taz, the history of Juneteenth, and the reading of the Emancipation Proclamation. Author Rachelle Chase will emcee the event and introduce each performance with a brief history moment. The performances will begin with the popular Buxton puppet show by Eulenspiegel Puppet Theatre, followed by the Marshallese Community Choir, Voices of Des Moines, IUT Nolly, Rock Voices, the Dave and Jeff Band, and the Ottumwa Municipal Band. The evening will close with an award-winning documentary, Juneteenth: Faith & Freedom.
Special activities for children include a bounce house, train rides, face painting by Nerd Art Entertainment, and an activities booth. Attendees are also invited to visit vendor booths, learn about community resources, and purchase meals and desserts from food trucks.
June 19, 1865, shortened to “Juneteenth,” was the day that enslaved African Americans in Texas were told that slavery had ended, two years after the Emancipation Proclamation had been signed. Thus, Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in the United States.
Pastor Diane Koger, chair of the Juneteenth Planning Committee, stressed that Juneteenth is for everyone. “Some people have told me that Juneteenth is only for Black people. That’s like saying a grocery store owned by an African American is only for Black people. Or a restaurant owned by a Latino person is only for Latinos,” said Koger. “Juneteenth is American history. Look at our community—our families, our neighbors, the Juneteenth performers. Ottumwa is a community of different races celebrating our history. This event is for all people.”
Attendees are encouraged to bring strollers, lawn chairs, and canopies to enhance their enjoyment of the celebration.
The Ottumwa Juneteenth Celebration is made possible by the Juneteenth Planning Committee, volunteers who assist at the event, and sponsors. Juneteenth Planning Committee members are Pastor Diane Koger, Dr. Jeff Hendred, Joe Koger, and Rachelle Chase. This year’s sponsors include: Amazing Panda Learning Academy LLC, Community 1st, Fareway, Greater Ottumwa Partners in Progress, HyVee, JBS, Job Corps, Legacy Foundation, Polar Xpress, River Hills Community Health Center, South Ottumwa Savings Bank, Uniting Through History, and Vaughn Automotive.
For more information, to view the full schedule of activities, and to RSVP, please visit the Ottumwa Juneteenth Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091937498692.
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What time is the documentary showing?
Hope to make it!! Thanks for letting us know.