The signature Annapolis Juneteenth Festival at the Bates Sports Complex is off this year, but the rest of the weekend is still standing. Organizers have canceled the free, multi-vendor festival that typically draws thousands, while keeping the VIP gala, the city-sponsored Carr’s Beach Reunion Day, and the downtown Juneteenth parade on the schedule.
Organizers Cite Environmental Concerns
Celebrate Annapolis Juneteenth said a late-breaking notice about environmental issues was the tipping point. In a statement, the group wrote that "a last minute notice about environmental toxins does not allow us to navigate a successful and safe event," according to Eye On Annapolis. The organization also said "the city of Annapolis does not have the capacity to undergird this event" and noted that additional updates could come as plans evolve. The announcement landed Tuesday afternoon, just as organizers were nailing down final weekend logistics.
Gala, Carr’s Beach Reunion And Parade Still On
For now, the three-day lineup is trimmed but not wiped out. The program still includes a VIP gala on Thursday, June 18, Carr’s Beach Reunion Day on Friday, June 19, and a Juneteenth parade stepping off at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 20. The parade is expected to start at Rowe Boulevard and Bladen Street, travel along Calvert and West streets, and finish near Maryland Hall and the Bates Sports Complex, according to Annapolis Juneteenth.
City’s Role And Carr’s Beach Details
The City of Annapolis is listed as a sponsor of Carr’s Beach Reunion Day. City recreation listings show the June 19 beach concert at the Annapolis Maritime Museum and historic Carr’s Beach Park, with information on shuttle service, parking, and the venue. Residents eyeing the beach reunion are being directed to the city calendar for the fine print on logistics and transit.
Festival Has Become A Major Draw
Celebrate Annapolis Juneteenth has grown fast in just a few years. The organization’s materials say last year’s festival programming featured more than 150 vendors and roughly 7,000 attendees, according to sponsor pages on its site. That scale sits behind organizers’ argument that staging a safe, fully compliant festival now requires substantial support from the city and other partners.
What Comes Next
Organizers told Eye On Annapolis that "additional updates may be shared as other plans develop" and provided an email address for questions. Anyone planning to attend the gala, Carr’s Beach events, or the parade is being urged to keep an eye on the city’s event calendar and local news outlets for any last-minute changes and parking instructions.
