Celebrate Juneteenth, 2022 in Portland!

June 20, 2024

This year marks the second time ever that Juneteenth will be celebrated as a certified, bonafide, federal holiday, which is as good an indicator as any of America’s pace in the progression toward racial equity. This will also be the first year Oregon celebrates Juneteenth as

Juneteenth commemorates the announcement of the abolition of slavery on June 19, 1865, and the emancipation of African American slaves. While the Emancipation Proclamation of 1862 effectively ended slavery on January 1, 1863, it wasn’t until the slaves in Texas finally got their freedom in 1865 that the last enslaved people were liberated.

On June 17, 2021, President Joe Biden signed Juneteenth into law as the first new federal holiday since Martin Luther King Jr. Day was added back in 1983, but it’s been observed and celebrated since pretty much 1865. Texas marked Juneteenth as an official state holiday in 1980, and in the years since, eight more states have come on board.

Juneteenth Oregon 50th Anniversary Celebration

Of course, some people have been celebrating in Oregon a lot longer than it took the government to finally recognize its importance. 2022 marks the fiftieth anniversary of The Juneteenth Oregon Celebration, founded in 1972 by Clara Peoples. Every year, the celebration starts off with a parade that leads into a variety of festivities including live music, entertainment, food, educational booths, art, cultural booths, and even a children’s play area.

The main thing to know is that everything gets going on Saturday, June 18th, 2022, with the parade. It starts at 11:00am from the Safeway on MLK and Ainsworth. The festival gets under way at noon in

and goes until 7:00pm, before opening up again from 11:00am–6:00pm Sunday.

Freadom Festival

Another way to celebrate Juneteenth is with Portland’s First Annual Black Book Festival. It’s also taking place on June 18th, from 12:00pm–6:00pm, in nearby

. The Freadom Festival is based on the belief that books should be inclusive and accessible. It was created to educate people about the importance of Juneteenth, foster fellowship with a community of book lovers, support Black businesses, and celebrate literacy as well as liberation.

Bring a book for the community book swap (kids under ninth grade get one free!), stay to hear some book talks with local Black authors, and think about what you might want to donate to the PDX Books to Prisoners book drive. A list of what they’re looking for is on the

This might be a good time to learn more about

September 25, 2025
Whether you’re lighting up with close friends or newcomers at a show, knowing how to pass a joint without killing the vibe is a subtle art form.
September 17, 2025
Get to know the local cannabis growers behind PotMates' curated delivery experience. Discover how sustainable, small-batch farms are redefining premium cannabis in Portland.
September 17, 2025
Looking for the best cannabis delivery in Portland? Discover how PotMates offers premium, curated flower and edibles—sourced locally and delivered discreetly.
July 24, 2025
Few things go together like cannabis and music. Whether you're vibing to soul classics, zoning out with ambient loops, or dissecting verses in a late-night hip-hop session, cannabis has a way of deepening the moment. THC heightens sensory awareness, CBD calms mental chatter, and the right terpene profile can turn a good playlist into a transformative soundscape. Music hits different when you're high—and that’s part of the magic.
July 17, 2025
Care packages have always been about comfort. But in Portland, where cannabis delivery is easy and legal, the care package has officially leveled up. Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, helping a friend through a tough breakup, or sending yourself some much-needed love, cannabis offers a personal, feel-good way to say: take a breath—you deserve this.
July 10, 2025
The conversation around cannabis and fitness has changed dramatically in recent years. Once considered strictly a post-workout indulgence or pain relief aid, cannabis is now being studied for its potential to support energy, focus, inflammation recovery, and sleep—all essential components of an active lifestyle. In 2025, emerging research and personal experience are aligning: when used intentionally and in moderation, cannabis may be a useful tool in and around your workout routine.
July 3, 2025
If you’ve never ordered cannabis for delivery before, you’re not alone—especially if you’re a little older or just getting back into cannabis after some time away. For many Portlanders, the idea of having weed delivered right to your door sounds convenient but maybe a little confusing. What are the rules? What do you need to show the driver? Is it really that easy?
June 26, 2025
Date night doesn’t have to mean reservations, traffic, or expensive cocktails. Sometimes the best nights are the ones where you stay in, slow down, and actually connect. And for a lot of Portland couples, cannabis is part of what makes that easier.
June 19, 2025
For a long time, cannabis and cooking meant one thing: brownies. Maybe cookies if you were feeling bold. But today’s cannabis kitchen looks nothing like that. Home cooks and chefs alike are using cannabis the same way they’d use wine, spices, or herbs—to enhance flavor, elevate mood, and bring intention to every bite.
June 15, 2025
With more cannabis dispensaries per capita than nearly any other city in the country, Portland doesn’t exactly make it hard to find weed. But choosing the right dispensary? That’s a different story. From crowded parking lots and inconsistent menus to overpriced flower and lackluster service, not every neighborhood shop lives up to the promise.
Show More