For Immediate Release – Northern Kentucky (June 1, 2026)
Get ready to celebrate service and shine at Northern Kentucky Juneteenth 2026! Mrs. Juneteenth Col. Serena Owen, Mr. Juneteenth Col. Larry Owen, and Northern Kentucky University student leaders Miss College Juneteenth Destiny Owen, and Mr. College Juneteenth Robert Butler II (who will be honored for their decades of service and excellence) are excited to serve and help others shine! They will proudly recognize Serena Owen Service Scholars for their commitment to scholarship and service in their school and community as well as honoring local Community Heroes!
2026 marks the 161st anniversary of Juneteenth. It commemorates June 19, 1865, when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, bringing the news of freedom to enslaved African Americans. Additionally, it is the 6th anniversary of Juneteenth being recognized as a U.S. federal holiday, which was signed into law in 2021.
You, your family, and friends are invited to join us for a joyful series of Juneteenth celebrations filled with recognition, fellowship, free fun family friendly activities, resource information, giveaways, music, and more! Come celebrate Juneteenth excellence with us across these exciting events:
Event Highlights:
🎉 Saturday, June 7 – First Baptist Church of Elsmere 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Join the Juneteenth Freedom Day Parade beginning at 9:30 AM in the US Bank parking lot at Dixie Hwy and Garvey Avenue in Elsmere, KY. We’ll stop at Billy Bradford Park to raise the Juneteenth flag while honoring our legacy of local ‘Firsts’ including the Honorable Billy Bradford who was the first African American Mayor in Elsmere and Northern Kentucky as well as Councilwoman Col. Renee Wilson who is the first African American elected to Erlanger’s City Council, Col. Serena Owen who is the first African American woman elected to the Erlanger-Elsmere School Board and Elsmere City Council, and Col. Larry Owen who is the first African American elected to the Kenton County Conservation District Board. We will continue to First Baptist Church of Elsmere where our Serena Owen Service Scholars will be recognized. Stay for a free Kids Fest, organization booths, Juneteenth sermonettes, a free community dinner, and worship with Lincoln Heights Baptist Church. Contact the NKY Juneteenth Committee and Celebration founders and visionaries at NKYJuneteenthCommittee@MyYahoo.com for additional information.
🌿 Friday, June 19 – Florence Nature Park Event Center | 12:00 PM–5:00 PM
Join the 4th annual For Family By Family Juneteenth Celebration in Florence hosted by Dashai Thompson and Sienna Thompson as Mr. and Mrs. Juneteenth Larry and Serena Owen, Destiny Owen, and Robert Butler II will honor Serena Owen Service Scholars and others as Community Heroes. Enjoy resource booths, family-friendly activities, lunch, door prizes, music, and more, with special guests expected from the Kentucky State Capitol in Frankfort. Visit ForFamilyByFamily.com for more information.
✨ Saturday, June 20 – Covington Landing | 12:00 PM-5:00 PM
Celebrate with the NKY Juneteenth Committee at the Riverfront Covington Landing as Covington Independent Schools distributes free shoes and shirts to students while supplies last. Join the fun and help honor our Juneteenth award honorees during awards presentations with Col. Serena Owen and Col. Larry Owen.
🏪 Support local businesses and organizations
🍽️ Enjoy great food
🎟️ Play bingo for prizes
Free T-shirt giveaway for kids (while supplies last)
🏆 Help honor Juneteenth award honorees
🎶 Enjoy music
💃 Greek strolling and more!
🙌 Sign up to volunteer and earn a Juneteenth Volunteer Service Certificate!
You can also nominate a local volunteer who goes above and beyond the call of duty as a Community Hero who will be recognized during our celebration! Can you join us? Sign up here. https://forms.gle/hh7iudZ9M75oB9nF9
This Juneteenth we look forward to celebrating freedom, family, culture, and community with you!
