Juneteenth Festival

This is a Town-Organized event. What does this mean?

Saturday, June 17, 2023

The Depot, 220 N. Salem Street
11 am - 6 pm

Juneteenth is celebrated across the country to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States. The Town of Apex's Juneteenth Festival celebrates this important day in history, and promotes equity, respect, and understanding between people of all backgrounds and cultures. 

This year’s celebration features:

  • Live music and entertainment with NiiTO and ET Drum Prophet
  • Food trucks - Manzie's Icees, Quizine Orleans, Shmack'N Plates, The Hot Spot, Vegan Ice Cream Man
  • Half-court basketball and other games
  • Local vendors

Want to get involved and volunteer your time during the Apex Juneteenth Festival? Sign up here!

Schedule of Events

  • 11:00 am: Event kickoff with Big Ron and raising of the flag
  • 11:30 am: Opening remarks from Mayor Gilbert
  • 12:30 pm: Caliente Babe line dancing
  • 1:00 pm: Presentation of Apex Freedom Day Honoree
  • 1:30 pm: Empowering Steppers
  • 2:30 pm: Fire Starters Youth Choir
  • 3:30 pm: ET Drum Prophet
  • 4:30pm: NiiTO Band
  • 5:45pm: Closing remarks

Know Before You Go: 

  • View the downtown parking map for walkable parking locations. 
  • Salem Street, from Center Street to Saunders Street, and a partial section of Seaboard Street will be closed from 9:30 am to 7 pm for the festival. The Depot parking lot (220 N. Salem Street) will close at 12:00 am on Saturday.
  • GoApex Route 1 will operate with an alternative route during the festival and road closures. View the detour map
  • Town staff may be on site during the festival taking photos/video of festival events and attendees



Artboard 1



2021.06.19 Juneteenth Celebration Downtown Apex Mayor Council Kids Dancing Face Painting DJ (34)
2021.06.19 Juneteenth Celebration Downtown Apex Mayor Council Kids Dancing Face Painting DJ (1)



What is the difference between a Community Event and a Town-Organized Event?


Community Events 
This is an event that a non-profit organization runs, pays for, and plans. Town of Apex staff provides an event location (Town Hall Campus, Salem Street, etc.), along with staff from public safety, public works and other departments, as necessary.

Town-Organized Events
This is an event that the Town of Apex creates, pays for, and plans. Town of Apex staff manages the programming, including activities, logistics, and vendors. This is sometimes referred to as a “Town Owned Event”.