City of Knoxville offices will be closed Monday, June 19, 2023, for the Juneteenth holiday. 

Trash and recycling services will run on a regular schedule. The City’s Solid Waste Facility (1033 Elm Street) will be closed Saturday, June 17, and Monday, June 19. It will reopen for regular hours on Tuesday, June 20. 

City Recreation Centers, including the Knoxville Arts Center, will be closed and not holding summer camp sessions on June 19. The City’s outdoor pools – Inskip and Ed Cothren – will be open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Additional pool information is posted at KnoxvilleTN.gov/aquatics. 

This is the first year that Juneteenth is a paid holiday for City employees. City Council voted to approve the addition of Juneteenth to the City’s paid holidays in 2022. 

Mayor Indya Kincannon, City staff and members of City Council will participate in the Juneteenth Freedom Day Celebration Parade and March on Monday, June 19. The parade steps off at 10 a.m. 

The parade, presented by the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Commission, will step off from the Chilhowee Park Midway (3300 E. Magnolia Avenue), continue down Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, and conclude at Dr. Walter Hardy Park, site of the Party at Hardy.

MLK Jr. Avenue and cross streets will be closed along the parade route from 10 a.m. to approximately 11 a.m. 

Several Knoxville groups are hosting Juneteenth weekend events, which include: 

25th Anniversary Alex Haley Statue Dedication
Saturday, June 17, 10 a.m. 
Haley Heritage Square 
Beck Cultural Exchange Center hosts this “Tribute to America’s Storyteller” including community members, artists and members of the Alex Haley family. 

Juneteenth 2023: A Celebration Rooted in History 
Sunday, June 18, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Knoxville Botanical Garden & Arboretum, 2743 Wimpole Ave.
Rooted East Knox hosts food, demonstrations, educational workshops, art and family portrait sessions with Jalynn Baker Photography. 

Juneteenth Ride at The Bottom 
Monday, June 19, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
The Bottom Knox, 2340 E. Magnolia Ave.
The Bottom and Two Bikes host a special Juneteenth bike ride, beginning at the bookstore, traveling past East Knoxville landmarks and returning to The Bottom for a fish fry and vintage market. 

Heritage Exhibit and Village Market
Monday, June 19, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. 
Beck Cultural Exchange Center, 1927 Dandridge Ave.
Beck presents a special Juneteenth exhibit and hosts a live broadcast of WBIR Channel 10. 

The Crown Pitch Competition 
Monday, June 19, 6 p.m.
Old City Performing Arts Center, 111 State St.
Four black women entrepreneurs will pitch their business ideas to judges for the chance to win in $5,000, plus resources and mentoring. Hosted by The Women LLC and Shora Foundation. 

Please contact the individual organizations to receive additional information about their events. 

Knoxville Area Transit buses will operate on a Sunday schedule on Monday, June 19. Visit KAT’s brand new website, KATBus.com, for more information. 

For information about City services, visit KnoxvilleTN.gov.