Music, culture and fellowship: A look at Coconut Grove’s Juneteenth celebration
By Pedro Portal and
Adrian Ruhi
Coconut Grove residents Annette Hutchinson, Africa Andrews and Loretta Scippio-Whittle pose during the third annual Juneteenth Freedom Day Emancipendence Celebration at Elizabeth Virrick Park on Friday, June 19, 2026.
Pedro Portal
pportal@miamiherald.com
Coconut Grove residents gathered Friday at Elizabeth Virrick Park to celebrate Juneteenth with live music, cultural performances and community fellowship.
The third annual Juneteenth Freedom Day Emancipendence Celebration, presented by the Coconut Grove Ecumenical Network, was one of many events in South Florida celebrating the federal holiday that recognizes when enslaved Black Americans in Galveston, Texas learned of their freedom on June 19, 1865.
See photos from Friday’s celebration:
Coconut Grove residents Loretta Scippio-Whittle and Carolyn Donaldson posed ahead of a presentation on freedom, heritage, culture and unity during the third annual Juneteenth Freedom Day Emancipendence Celebration at Elizabeth Virrick Park on Friday, June 19, 2026. Pedro Portal pportal@miamiherald.com
Coconut Grove residents Mr. and Mrs. Curry enjoyed the good weather during the third annual Juneteenth Freedom Day Emancipendence Celebration at Elizabeth Virrick Park on Friday, June 19, 2026. Pedro Portal pportal@miamiherald.com
Longtime Coconut Grove residents Pam (left) and Kai Jennings enjoyed the good weather, during the third annual Juneteenth Freedom Day Emancipendence Celebration at the Elizabeth Virrick Park on Friday, June 19, 2026. Pedro Portal pportal@miamiherald.com
Tiffany and Freddie Bell, owners of the Urban Fisherman food truck, posed for a picture during the third annual Juneteenth Freedom Day Emancipendence Celebration at Elizabeth Virrick Park on Friday, June 19, 2026. Pedro Portal pportal@miamiherald.com
Tiffany Bell, owner of the Urban Fisherman food truck, takes orders during the third annual Juneteenth Freedom Day Emancipendence Celebration at Elizabeth Virrick Park on Friday, June 19, 2026. Pedro Portal pportal@miamiherald.com
Tobias Thomas (top) and Jayceon Rodgers enjoy the good weather at the splash pad during the third annual Juneteenth Freedom Day Emancipendence Celebration at Elizabeth Virrick Park on Friday, June 19, 2026. Pedro Portal pportal@miamiherald.com
Children and families enjoyed the good weather at the pool during the third annual Juneteenth Freedom Day Emancipendence Celebration at Elizabeth Virrick Park, that featured live music, cultural performances, storytelling, and community fellowship, on Friday, June 19, 2026. Pedro Portal pportal@miamiherald.com
Children and families enjoyed the good weather at the splash pad during the third annual Juneteenth Freedom Day Emancipendence Celebration at Elizabeth Virrick Park on Friday, June 19, 2026. Pedro Portal pportal@miamiherald.com
