Juneteenth in Clarksville: From movies to balls to brunch, here’s a rundown of planned events

There's so much happening this week in celebration of Juneteenth, here's a list to keep it all together.

By Angela Peterson June 15, 2022 1:56 pm

Clarksville NowKids enjoy Clarksville's first Juneteenth event in 2021. (Contributed, Derrious Brown of Eyerie Vibez Photography)

CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – There’s so much happening this week in celebration of Juneteenth; here’s a list to keep it all together.

Thursday

“Black Mosaic: Reclaiming Clarksville Stories” Screening: On Thursday, there will be a screening of a documentary by Austin Peay State University graduate Angela Peterson at the Customs House Museum and Cultural Center. This documentary explores the often unknown and untold stories of Black history in Clarksville. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., documentary showing starts at 6:30 followed by a Q&A. Admission is $5. Children 16 and under are free. This is a family-friendly event.

Friday

Culture Ball: Artistic Expression of Black Culture: On Friday from 6 to 9 p.m. at the William O. Beach Civic Center, enjoy art, fashion, music, spoken word, and dance that artistically express the beauty of Black culture. Admission is $45 and includes a tapas-style soul food meal, cocktails, art exhibits and more.

Saturday

Clarksville Juneteenth Festival: On Saturday from noon to 9 p.m. at the Wilma Rudolph Event Center, this Juneteenth festival is back for the second year. There will be indoor booths, outdoor booths, live music, performances and food trucks. Admission is free.

Juneteenth Block Party: The Clarksville Juneteenth Block party is a cultural celebration of Freedom Day on Saturday starting at noon. The block party takes place at the Downtown Commons. In this the second year, the organizers have added more vendors, more entertainment, and more activities. Admission is free.

Unveiling of U.S. Colored Troops Monument: Mt. Olive Cemetery is one of Clarksville’s largest Black burial grounds, with at least 1,350 individuals interred on a 7.24-acre space. Of these, 32 are veterans, with 30 serving as U.S. Colored Troops during the Civil War. The monument will honor the USCT, many of them formerly enslaved, who enlisted in the Union Army to fight for their freedom. This unveiling will take place on Saturday at 9 a.m.

Sunday

BLK Xcellence Brunch: The BLK Xcellence Brunch will take place Sunday at 1 p.m. and will feature a catered brunch, Black art displays, the BLK Xcellence Awards, and several cultural showcases and performances at the Wilma Rudolph Event Center. BLK Xcellence Awards will honor four local leaders for their success in business, activism and leadership. Tickets are $75 per person.