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Grand Rapids to host Afro Gaga Juneteenth parade and celebration June 19 in Third Ward
Summary
City special events staff and community leaders announced the Grand Rapids Community Juneteenth 2025 Afro Gaga Parade and Celebration will begin at noon June 19 at the 1200 block of Hall Street and proceed to Dickinson Buffer Park in the 49507 Third Ward District. The event will feature food, vendors, education and cultural displays.
The Grand Rapids Community Juneteenth 2025 Afro Gaga Parade and Celebration will be held Thursday, June 19, beginning at noon on the 1200 block of Hall Street and ending at Dickinson Buffer Park in the 49507 Third Ward District, city officials and community organizers said.
Special events manager Yvette Pittman, representing the City of Grand Rapids, announced the parade and described it as an “Afro Gaga” celebration that will showcase people of African ancestry who helped build the city. “It is called Grand Rapids Community, Juneteenth 20 25 Afro Gaga Parade and Celebration. It'll be done on Thursday, June 19, right here in the great, great city in the 49507 Third Ward District, starting at noon at Hall Street, the 1200 block of Hall Street. And it'll go to Dickinson Buffer Park,” Pittman said.
Jewel Lynn Richardson, introduced during the meeting and referred to as Mama Jewel, said the celebration is part of educating younger generations about the holiday’s meaning. “Oh, it is important for us at any time that we can come together and realize that we are more than just what they say, free ish. We are coming together. Miss Opal Lee, 93, she was walking 2 and a half miles for us to get this implemented as a national holiday,” Richardson said. Organizers also said the event will include food, education, and items for sale to support participants and vendors.
The announcement came during brief remarks from City Manager Mark Washington, who noted the city recently adopted a $735 million budget and is marking the city’s 175th anniversary. Washington said the Juneteenth events are part of the city’s wider summer programming, which includes festivals at Rosa Parks Circle and other neighborhood celebrations.
Organizers encouraged residents to attend the Afro Gaga parade and celebration, calling it a place to “celebrate together, learn together, and share together.” No permits, road closures beyond the stated route, or additional public-safety details were specified in the meeting record.
