BASE is hosting its 5th Annual Southern Oregon Juneteenth Celebration. This family-friendly event will be an outdoor cultural celebration for the entire community featuring food, education, music, and live entertainment.
BASE is a volunteer nonprofit community organization that provides events, community information-sharing, connection, support, and resources that work towards the well-being and advancement of Black people living in Southern Oregon.
The theme of this year’s celebration is Time to Thrive. The day will showcase our region’s expanding roster of Black-owned businesses, highlight local Black artists and creatives, share Black culture, provide a platform for community leaders, and create a fun environment where both youth and adults can commemorate this moment in our history and enrich understanding of our collective journey towards equity. It will be a celebration where the whole
community can come together.
The event will include activities for grown-ups and children throughout the day. The Kids’ Zone will feature music, interactive activities, face painting, and games. The main stage will feature stars from across the Pacific Northwest: Rogue Valley DJs, Ekome Drumming Band, Kingdom, FaceKing Afrobeats, PDX Soul together with Tyrone Hendrix and Andy Stokes, plus performances from BASE Youth.
Community leaders, including Dr. Nakeia, Council Daniels, and Medford Mayor Michael Zarosinski, will illuminate history and offer inspiration.
Raffles, offered throughout the day, include chances to win tickets to upcoming Britt Festival concerts such as Earth, Wind & Fire, and more. There will also be dozens of vendors, food trucks, community organizations, and other resources.
Juneteenth, known as Freedom Day, was declared a national holiday in 2021, and celebrates the emancipation of those who had been enslaved in the United States. Juneteenth, the longest-running holiday that celebrates the end of American slavery, commemorates the date of June 19, 1865 when Union Army general Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and issued General Order Number 3, effectively freeing enslaved people in the South.
This event is made possible by support from community organizations and individual sponsors from across the Southern Oregon community.
Special thanks to our Sponsors:
- Diamond Sponsors: ACCESS and ODVA
- Gold Level Sponsor: Jackson Care Connect
- Silver Level Sponsors: Medford Food Coop, Rogue Credit Union, United Way
- Bronze Level Sponsors: Addiction Recovery Center, Ashland Food Coop, Ashland Together, Columbia Care, Congregational UCC of Ashland, On Track Rogue Valley
- Supporting Partner: Britt Music & Arts Festival
Learn more about the BASE Juneteenth celebration here or email if you have questions.
