Juneteenth Colors of Freedom 2026
Friday, June 19
There will be a silent auction at the North Star Underground Railroad Museum from to pm. This special event will feature an incredible lineup of items generously donated by our talented local artisans and favorite neighborhood businesses. Every bid placed directly supports the museum's mission to preserve, interpret, and celebrate the rich history of the Underground Railroad in our region. See flyer for more information.
King Solomon Hicks Band will appear at at Retro Live (14 Margaret Street, Suite C, Plattsburgh). Tickets are required ($20 per person).
Watch the promotional video.
Saturday, June 20
A bus tour (pre-registration required; see form below) will depart the North Star Underground Railroad Museum at to visit Underground Railroad sites from Keeseville/Peru to Beekmantown. There will be reenactments of Samuel and Catherine Keese and Stephen Keese Smith.
The bus will then travel to the Plattsburgh Public Library for a movie screening from to pm.
The bus will return to the North Star Underground Railroad Museum at the end of the day (around ).
Bus Tour Registration
The cost for the Colors of Freedom bus tour is FREE!* Signup is required (see below). The bus will depart from the North Star Underground Railroad Museum and return to the museum at the end of the day.
*Even though there is no charge for the bus tour this year, we do need you to email us at ugr@frontier.com to sign up. Please let us know your name and how many people will be in your group (the registration deadline is June 19, 2026). For more information, see the Juneteenth flyer.
Note: Refunds will be issued to anyone who has already paid to participate in the 2026 bus tour.
There will be a movie screening at the Plattsburgh Public Library (19 Oak Street, Plattsburgh) from to pm. Those who choose to ride the tour bus (discussed above) will be transported to the library as part of the tour.
"What Remains: Voices from the Margins of History" art exhibit and reception and healing circle will be held in the Slatkin Study Room (second floor of Myers Fine Arts, 101 Broad Street, Plattsburgh) from to pm.
The exhibit will remain on dispaly until October 2, 2026. See flyer for more information.
Sunday, June 21
Celebration at the John Brown Farm (115 John Brown Road, Lake Placid) from to pm. This will include the Praise Tabernacle Dancers, Colors of Freedom Award, John Brown's final speech before the court, games, Jamcrackers Band, and a barbecue.
Sponsors
- North Star Underground Railroad Museum
- John Brown Lives!
- Essex County Arts Council
- Paul Smith's College
- Adirondack History Museum
- Clinton County Historical Association
- Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation Center at the State University of New York, Plattsburgh
- New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
Mountain Lake PBS: Museum Helps Celebrate Juneteenth
Additional Juneteenth Information
- What Is Juneteenth?
- The Historical Legacy of Juneteenth
- Learn About and Celebrate Juneteenth
- Juneteenth: A History of Freedom and Celebration
- History of Juneteenth timeline: A lesson in resilience
- Juneteenth Resource Guide: Podcasts and Videos
Past Juneteenth Celebrations
Juneteenth Celebration 2024
YouTube Playlist: Videos from Juneteenth 2024