CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) — Juneteenth, the annual commemoration of the abolition of slavery in Texas in 1865, is Friday. This will mark the fifth year since the date, June 19, was designated a federal holiday in 2021.

Many community events have been planned to commemorate Juneteenth on Friday and through the weekend in Charlottesville, Albemarle and the surrounding counties. Here’s what to know about this year’s festivities:

Black Business Expo and JSAAHC Juneteenth Parade

The Black Business Expo, in its 10th year, is at the Jefferson School African American Heritage Center on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event celebrates Black-owned business and will host over 40 vendors, three panel discussions, live entertainment, and a business pitch competition. To top things off, the Expo is partnering with JSAAHC’s Juneteenth Celebration for a dual event in the Jefferson School City Center courtyard. Event director Ty Cooper said that, as the Expo hits a decade, it unifies the local community and is a positive force as the summer begins.

“What it represents is a sense of empowerment to the black community,” Cooper told Cville Right Now. “We’re trying to give people something without strings attached.”

 Juneteenth Jubilee at Eastwood Winery

Eastwood Farm and Winery is collaborating with Black Women Who Wine on Friday from 12-4 for a Juneteenth Jubilee. The itinerary includes a wine release part for ZC Wine, with owner Tasha Durrett, a cupcake and wine pairing with Krissy Cakes and a flower bouquet pop-up with We Grow. An afternoon DJ will run from 12:30-3:30 p.m. followed by live music from 5-8 p.m.

Kick Rocks Sneaker Showcase at the Art Bar

The Art Bar is hosting their 4th annual Juneteenth Celebration “From Sole to Soul”, offering line dancing classes, refreshments from local vendors and freedom-fist as well as sneaker-themed crafts from 4-8 p.m. The event is family-friendly and admission is $30, which includes crafts, food and drinks.

Fridays After Five: Ebony Groove with Jen Tal Band 

Fridays After Five at Ting Pavilion will be hosting a Juneteenth Celebration from 5:30-8:30 p.m. on June 19, with Ebony Groove and Jen Tal performing. Initially a student-run pep band for the Charlottesville High School basketball team, Ebony Groove formed in 1987 and plays a fusion of R&B, Jazz and Hip Hop across the East Coast. Like each Fridays After Five concert, admission is free.

Juneteenth at Monticello

Monticello is offering a range of programming for Juneteenth, including daily tours with a focus on the enslaved population of Monticello. Other permanent exhibits include oral histories of the descendants of enslaved individuals at Monticello, “The Life of Sally Hemings”, the contemplative site and burial ground for reflecting on the lives of the enslaved, and “Sites along Mulberry Row”, where many of the enslaved community lived and worked. On June 25, an artist talk with Jabari Jefferson on Edith Hern Fossett, an enslaved French-trained chef who worked at Monticello and in Thomas Jefferson’s White House will take place from 6-7:30 p.m., with admission being $15 for non-members and $10 for members.

Lousia African American Heritage Festival

The Louisa County NAACP chapter is hosting their annual African American Heritage Festival June 20 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Moss-Nuckols Elementary School. The event will have vendors, performers, a car show and the Jefferson-Madison Regional Library Bookmobile.

JMRL Black & Gold Gala 

The Jefferson-Madison Regional Library will have a Black & Gold Gala on June 20 from 2-4 p.m., celebrating Juneteenth through poetry and jazz music. Guest speakers, who are yet to be announced, will also be present. The event is adults only, with free pizza, drinks and a photo booth provided.