Several Juneteenth Events Planned As Massachusetts Observes Official Holiday For First Time

BOSTON (CBS) - There are several events in eastern Massachusetts marking the new federal holiday Juneteenth, which is officially celebrated on June 19.

Juneteenth marks the day in 1865 when the last enslaved people in the United States were told they were free.

This is the first year Juneteenth is being recognized as an official holiday in Massachusetts after Governor Charlie Baker signed it into law last July.

In Boston, Acting Mayor Kim Janey raised the Juneteenth flag at City Hall just after noon Friday. The Juneteenth flag is also flying at Fenway Park for the weekend.

Janey and Baker attended One Night in Boston in Nubian Square in Roxbury for music performances and a film premiere.

King Boston is also sponsoring several other events which you can find here.

In Brockton, the Westgate Mall is hosting a pop-up market of Black-owned businesses on Friday from noon to 7 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. For more information, visit ShopatWestgateMall.com.

On Saturday, the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston is holding a day of outdoor programs and activities including art making, a concert, a film screening and spotlight talks.

It's free to the public from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and marks the first in-person community celebration at the museum in more than a year. Fore more information, visit mfa.org.

Also on Saturday, a freedom march will start at the Florida Ruffin Ridley School on Harvard Street in Brookline at 10 a.m. There will be a celebration at the end at Brookline Ave. Park at 11 a.m.

The Red Sox Foundation's showcase truck will visit Walsh Park in Dorchester Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be free food, drinks, and ice cream from Boston Police. A COVID vaccination clinic will also be set up. Anyone who gets a shot will receive two free Red Sox tickets.

The Red Sox will also host baseball clinics for children at Orchard Park in Roxbury from 1 to 3 p.m. Kids will get to take home a bat, ball and T-shirt.

The Boston Teachers Union and several other groups will hold a rally at Town Field in Dorchester from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday.