Hoover Public Library is partnering with Hoover-AHEAD to host their Third Annual Juneteenth Celebration on Saturday, June 17, 2023! There will be lots of things happening in several different parts of the library throughout the day. We'll have plenty of clear signage to help direct you once you're here, but don't wait until you arrive to plan out your day! Use this sneak peek to make sure you don't miss the moments that are most important to YOU as you celebrate freedom.
THEATRE LEVEL
When you enter the library lobby through the main doors, you can take the stairs or elevators down to the Theatre Level. A balloon arch photo op will greet you, vendors will be set up in the meeting rooms all day long, and the Library Theatre will showcase lots of cool things on its stage.
10:10 a.m. Welcome from Hoover-AHEAD's Shilpa Gaggar & Withrow Newell
10:20 a.m. City of Hoover Proclamation from Mayor Frank Brocato
10:30 a.m. The Story of Juneteenth with storyteller Lisa Daniels
11:00 a.m. Sahi On Ko Djony Drumming and Dancing
11:20 a.m. The Importance of Juneteenth with Shelia Smoot
11:40 a.m. Sahi On Ko Djony Drumming and Dancing
12 noon Screening of T. Marie King's documentary Shuttlesworth
1:00 p.m. Praise Ensemble of the Birmingham Youth & Young Adult Fellowship Choir
1:20 p.m. Combined Area School Choirs -- Hoover High, Carver High, Hudson Middle, Ramsay High, Jackson Olin High
1:40 p.m. Screening & discussion of film Bending the Arc
KID ZONE
When you enter the library, take a left past the big check out desk up front, then turn left onto the starred hallway. You are now in the Kid Zone! From 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., we'll have a rotation of high school students reading a brand new picture book called A Flag for Juneteenth by Kim Taylor. Then, fully inspired by the story, you'll create your very own freedom flag to take home. There will also be an awesome timeline photo op, a selection of new Juneteenth and Black History books available for checkout, and the beginning of a library-wide scavenger hunt to learn about banned books by Black creators.
ON THE PLAZA
The library will be hosting a guest author in the morning, so Juneteenth will not take over that space until around 1 p.m. Then DJ ChampChella will be spinning tunes while folks visit and just spend time together.
FOOD TRUCKS OUT FRONT
Several food trucks will be parked in the upper lot at the front of the library to sell lunch to the masses beginning at 11:00 a.m.
And, don't forget! The library will be closed on Monday, June 19, 2023 for Juneteenth.
