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Tempe, AZ, June 4, 2024 — Freedom of Expression will be center stage at CenterPoint Plaza in Downtown Tempe on Saturday June 15th, as the Downtown Tempe Authority holds its annual Juneteenth Block Party from 7pm to 11pm. At 9pm, musician Walt Richardson will receive a special acknowledgement from the stage, and his friends and fans are encouraged to attend to honor this Tempe legend.The public is invited to share in the festivities with an evening of music, roller skating, art, poetry, jump rope fun and more. 

 

This year’s theme is “Freedom of Expression”, a tribute to the struggles and strides made in the ongoing quest for racial equality and justice. Juneteenth commemorates the legal ending of slavery in the United States, and became a federal holiday in 2021. For years the Downtown Tempe Authority has taken steps to honor and acknowledge this important milestone, and each year the event grows. Guests will enjoy a block party atmosphere complete with all-ages fun at this family-friendly, free and inclusive event.

 

This year’s Block Party is anticipated to be the largest yet in terms of programming and attendance. Creative expressions of community and culture underscore this year’s event with a slate of programming designed to honor, delight and engage attendees. The evening’s attractions feature musical performances, spoken word and DJ sets from DJ Panic and DJ AKSHEN, dancing and hip-hop performances by lauded local artists Furious Styles Crew, and an interactive installation by Ars Poetica where guests can tell their own stories through the poetic medium of haiku, typed on old school typewriters. Talented artist Shoreigh Williams has collaborated with the Downtown Tempe Authority to create "The Doorways", an interactive art experience where we ask you to step through the past, present and the future. The experience leverages the pillars of storytelling; reading, writing and speaking to form a collective narrative of Juneteenth celebration. A special mention of gratitude to Shoreigh Williams, The Window and Door Store, and Downtown Tempe Authority's very own Tamar Burch for collaborating on this experience to honor Juneteenth.

 

Guests will also enjoy a Hip Hop Barber Battle featuring two Tempe barbers, Elite on Mill & In The Cut, competing in various categories, including freestyle and best fade. The audience will vote to determine the winner. Showcase your jump rope skills with the 40plus Double Dutch team, and fan favorites, the Zoni Girls, are back to lead a retro roller skating session. Guests are encouraged to bring their own skates and protective gear for the all-ages roller roundabouts set to old school classic jams. Adventurous guests can try their luck with a game of spades or dominoes, or kick back and relax with a premium stogie with the RichKat Mobile Cigar Lounge experience. 

 

Hungry and thirsty attendees will find an array of ways to sate their needs with a selection of adult beverages including Crown Royal cocktails, internationally award-winning beers from Downtown Tempe’s own Pedal Haus Brewery, and more. Guests may dine on soul-touching dishes from 28 Still Cooking, exquisite smoked and sauced meats from Kingpin BBQ, Sunset Freeze will be bringing their legendary sorbets, and delicious, fruit-based, non-dairy ice cream cups, and the whole family will love Flav-Oh's old-skool ice cream truck, serving up nostalgic treats from the nineties. 

 

Attendees may also celebrate Juneteenth in style with exclusive commemorative t-shirts, available for purchase through the end of June 2024, with ordering and fulfillment information available on the Downtown Tempe Authority’s website, listed below.

 

This year’s block party capitalizes on previous efforts and acknowledgements by Downtown Tempe to honor Juneteenth. “What started with a simple cross-street banner in 2019, before it was even recognized as a federal holiday, has now grown to a full-blown celebration of the diversity in our communities,” remarked the Downtown Tempe Authority’s Executive Director and CEO, Lori Foster. “You’ve spoken, and we’ve listened," Foster noted, in describing the inspiration and approach for the annual event. “In times of need, we come together, and observing Juneteenth, not only acknowledges our collective past — it gives us all a reason to come out, meet our neighbors, and collectively express our strength, accomplishments and intentional future. This is what makes Tempe stand out locally, and I invite you to bring your friends and family to this unifying community celebration.”

 

Waymo is the Official Ride Hail Partner of the Downtown Tempe Juneteenth Block Party, Simply download the app and take a ride to/from the event. Attendees are also encouraged to go green and enjoy the convenience of public transportation like the Valley Metro Rail, Streetcar or even bike share. 

 

The Downtown Tempe Authority would like to acknowledge and thank all of its sponsors, volunteers and the community for their support. For up-to-date details about the Downtown Tempe Juneteenth Block Party, including programming, line-ups and t-shirt ordering information, please visit:

https://www.downtowntempe.com/events/juneteenth-celebration

  For more information about transportation options and parking, please visit:

https://www.downtowntempe.com/get-around

  Download the Waymo One App:

  https://waymo.com/waymo-one

  For regular updates, promotions and more, please follow in social at @DowntownTempe on all major social  platforms.