Wake County Public Libraries and Wake County Parks, Recreation and Open Space have developed several special programs designed to reflect on the history and contributions of African Americans this Juneteenth. These educational and celebratory events take place throughout the month. 

Library programs 

See a full list of programs offered by Wake County Public Libraries here. Librarians have also curated a booklist including print and audiobooks for all ages.  

Featured programs include: 

• K-5th Adventures: Juneteenth 
  Wednesday, June 17 | 6-6:45 p.m. 
  Morrisville Community Library 
  Read, create, discover and explore through hands-on activities. Learn about the history of this yearly observation and create a traditional kente cloth tapestry.  
   
• NC Emancipation Stories 
  Wednesday, June 17 | 6:30-8 p.m. 
  Virtual 
  Discover North Carolina’s rich African American heritage through a showcase highlighting cultural and historic sites across the state. Explore powerful stories of resilience, achievement and community. 
   
• K-5th Adventures: Juneteenth 
  Thursday, June 18 | 4:30-5:15 p.m. 
  Thursday, June 18 | 6-6:45 p.m. 
  Richard B. Harrison Community Library 
  Discover the history of Juneteenth and create a coaster to take home. 
   
• Heritage and Harmony 
  Sunday, June 21 | 1-4 p.m. 
  East Regional Library 
  Celebrate freedom and community through arts, crafts, bingo and reflection, honoring a legacy of resilience, culture and unity. 

 
Park programs 

• StoryWalk®: “Opal Lee and What it Means to Be Free” 
  Runs through Saturday, June 27 
  Beech Bluff County Park 
  Take a self-guided StoryWalk® at Beech Bluff County Park along the ADA accessible Educational Trail located next to the Park Center! This month's StoryWalk® is “Opal Lee and What it Means to Be Free,” written by Alice Faye Duncan and illustrated by Keturah A. Bobo.  
   
• StoryWalk®: “So Many Years: A Juneteenth Story” 
  All month 
  Historic Oak View County Park 
  Oak View's brick walkways will feature the children's book: “So Many Years: A Juneteenth Story.”  With lyrical text from Anne Wynter and radiant artwork from Jerome Pumphrey, this poetic picture book explains the history behind Juneteenth celebrations.  
   
• Juneteenth Freedom Stories Walking Trail 
  All month 
  Historic Oak View County Park 
  This special self-guided Juneteenth Freedom Stories walking trail features interpretive panels about the history of Juneteenth and the stories of how the enslaved community at Oak View experienced the transition from slavery to freedom. The display is located on the park's brick walkways, starting after the StoryWalk® and ending at the 1870s tenant house. 
   
• Exploration Station: Juneteenth: Celebrating Freedom 
  All month 
  Historic Yates Mill County Park, Finley Exhibit Hall   
  Stop by this self-guided exhibit to learn more about Juneteenth, the fight for freedom in the 1860s and celebrations of emancipation over time.  
   
• Seeds of Freedom: Juneteenth at Oak View 
  Friday, June 19 | 10:30 a.m. 
  Historic Oak View County Park 
  Join staff for a walking tour focused on the history of Juneteenth and how the transition from slavery to freedom was experienced by Oak View's enslaved community. Discover stories of how African American families celebrated their liberation and the steps they took to plant seeds of freedom for themselves and their descendants. After the tour, participants will be invited to fold their own seed packet and reflect on what freedom means to them.  
   
• Juneteenth Storytimes 
  Wednesday, June 17 | 11 a.m. 
  Saturday, June 20 | 11 a.m. 
  Historic Oak View County Park 
  Hear the children's book “Opal Lee and What it Means to Be Free: The True Story of the Grandmother of Juneteenth” by Alice Faye Duncan and visit the 1870s tenant house to learn about what freedom meant to the newly-emancipated people at Oak View.