June 19 2023
Juneteenth Week Schedule of Events
June 17
Opening Show & Motown Music Celebration
Come to the Bethesda Blues & Jazz Club for a rollicking celebration of the legendary Du-Drop Inn from Emory Grove, Montgomery County’s most legendary nightclub (1947-1980). An All-Star lineup of the DC area’s best musicians will bring the golden era of the dance party back to life with the songs of Tina Turner, Aretha Franklin, Chuck Berry, Marvin Gaye, Fats Domino and so many more. Our “Du-Drop Inn Revue” lineup for the evening includes: Daryl Davis, Jay Summerour, Hardway Connection, Shirletta Settles, Robbin Kapsalis, Tom Clifford, and Ray Apollo Allen
Doors open 5 p.m., showtime, 7-11 p.m.
7719 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda
June 18
Scotland Interfaith Worship Service
At the core of Freedom Day, represented by the national holiday of Juneteenth, is faith. We invite you to join the Reverend Dr. Evalina Huggins, Rabbi Evan Krame, Reverend Nancy Ladd and leaders of other faith communities as the Scotland AME Zion church hosts this special morning of celebration and prayer with the theme “Zion: A People, A Place, A Praise”. The service will include a performance by the Scotland A.M.E Choir. Breakfast will be served.
The Hilton Doubletree Hotel, 9:30-11 a.m.
620 Perry Parkway, Gaithersburg
MEETING IS FREE AND BREAKFAST IS $20
Day of Community Service
Enjoy a day of outdoor fun and community service at our first Juneteenth cleanup day at Cabin John Regional Park. We will rake leaves, pick up any debris, and pull invasive weeds during this day of thanks for the joy the park brings us all year long.
Cabin John Regional Park
7700 Tuckerman Lane, Potomac, 1-3 p.m.
FREE EVENT
June 19
Juneteenth 5K Road Race and 1-Mile Family Walk
Calling all road runners and walkers of all ages and skills to the DC area’s only 5K road race held on the national holiday of Juneteenth. The course begins and ends at Bells Mills Elementary School, where Scotland’s children have attended since the late 1960s, and it passes the 100-year-old Scotland AME Zion Church along the way. Hills are minimal on this course, so it’s a nice place to set a PR!
8225 Bells Mills Road, Potomac, 8 a.m.
Children’s Art Pavilion
What does Juneteenth mean? What is the holiday’s origin and history? What are the colors and themes that bring this new national holiday to life? These are the questions and answers that will be expressed in this celebration of art by our area’s schoolchildren at Cabin John Village. In addition, we will welcome children to make and hang their own art on site, too!
Cabin John Village
11325 Seven Locks Road, Potomac, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
FREE
History Pavilion
A century ago, the area in and around Cabin John Village and Cabin John Regional Park, spanning hundreds of acres, was a vibrant Black community that came to be known as Scotland. Across Montgomery County, more than 40 other Black were also settled as centers of Black culture and worship. Local volunteers and historians will retell those stories in words, pictures, videos, and artifacts for a day-long examination of a history that can never be forgotten.
Cabin John Village
11325 Seven Locks Road, Potomac, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
FREE
Interfaith and Social Action Pavilion
When the Scotland Community was at risk of being eliminated by socioeconomic forces in the 1960s, it was the surrounding faith community who stepped in with a “Save Our Scotland” campaign. In 2023, a similar campaign, “The Second Century Project,” has been formed by the Scotland AME Zion Church to bring together leaders in faith, business, and the broader community. This area of the festival will be filled with fun and games under the theme of “What it Means to be a Neighbor!”
Cabin John Village
11325 Seven Locks Road, Potomac, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
FREE
Health and Wellness Pavilion
With a focus on the unique needs of the African American and minority communities, this area will feature more than a dozen unique hospitals, clinics, and health care professionals. Among the attractions: The National Institute of Health will be on hand for a sickle cell anemia screening project and Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center’s cardiac care team will focus on heart healthy education including a giant inflatable heart to learn about how the heart functions and increase awareness about heart disease.
Cabin John Village
11325 Seven Locks Road, Potomac, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
FREE
Classic Car Show
What was your favorite ride back in the day? A ’57 Chevy? A shiny Corvette? Or maybe the original ’65 Mustang? More than 40 vintage vehicles from some of the most elite garages in Potomac and Bethesda will be on display to benefit the rebuilding of the Scotland AME Zion Church. Vote for your favorite car while you’re here: $1 dollar equals one vote!
Cabin John Village
11325 Seven Locks Road, Potomac, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
FREE
Juneteenth’s Got Talent
This family-friendly day of music and dance has something for everyone at Cabin John Village. Performers will include the pop and R&B stylings of the Nicky and Friends Band, the jazz fusion of the Vhiggz Experience, and the steelpan music of PanLara. Other offerings include a Step performance, DJs, line dancing and a show by the Divine Dance Institute. The full schedule will be posted May 1.
Cabin John Village
11325 Seven Locks Road, Potomac, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
FREE
The Food Court
The African-American experience must be tasted to be fully enjoyed. A full array of chefs and food trucks will turn the Cabin John Regional Park into a food connoisseur’s paradise for the national holiday. Come hungry! You won’t be disappointed.
Cabin John Regional Park
7701 Tuckerman Lane, Potomac, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Vendors listing available May 1
Food items priced accordingly
Children’s Carnival
The childhood experience at Scotland has included an exploration of the land at what is now Cabin John Regional Park for more than 120 years. For the national holiday celebration, the entire park area off Tuckerman Lane will come alive with rides, music, performance, old-time photos, face painting and even a Petting Zoo. This is the place to make lasting family memories for the young and the young at heart.
Cabin John Regional Park
7701 Tuckerman Lane, Potomac, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Vendors listing available May 1
The carnival is free to attend, attractions require the purchase of the $5 wrist band.
Partly sponsored by Tacy and Scott Roby
In honor of their friend, Cherie Gaines.
Juneteenth Films
Throughout the history of film, it has been the movies that have offered some of the most vivid depictions of the African American experience. The Juneteenth Scotland Foundation is proud to partner with the American Film Institute in Silver Spring to showcase five transformational movies. All the films will include post-screening panel discussions with directors, VIPs, and other experts.
American Film Institute Silver Theater and Cultural Center
8633 Colesville Rd, Silver Spring
Films, times, and ticket prices TBD by May 15
Baseball and Softball Skills Clinic
Calling all baseball and softball players ages 7 to 13 for this opportunity to learn from professional and the highest-level amateur players in our area. Hosted by Big Train Base Ball and the staff of Scotland Storm — an education and exercise program in the Scotland community — this clinic will cover hitting, throwing, fielding, and running. The coaches will include members of the Big Train Base Ball team, as well as former Major League players from the DC region.
Shirley Povich Field
10600 Westlake Dr, Rockville, MD, 4-5:30 p.m.
FREE
Clarence “Pint” Isreal Juneteenth Baseball Classic
From the 1930s to the 1950s, when more than 40 Black communities staked their place in Montgomery County society, summer baseball was central to the weekend experience. This game — including an elaborate opening ceremony — honors “Pint” Isreal, the biggest star of these summer sandlots, as well as the Scotland Eagles, and other area semi-professional baseball teams. This experience is sure to be a sell-out, so book your tickets early.
Shirley Povich Field
10600 Westlake Dr, Rockville, MD, 7 p.m.
Scotland Freedom Day Concert featuring Wyclef Jean, Tarrus Riley and more.
Join us for THE musical event of the Montgomery County summer! We are thrilled to celebrate Freedom Day with a first-of-its-kind concert at the County Fairgrounds. The Scotland Juneteenth Festival, and its presenting sponsor Minds in Motion Child Care, have made it possible to bring Wyclef Jean and Jamaican reggae legend Tarrus Riley, with opening act Dean Fraser & The Blak Soil Band, to this historic event.
Montgomery County Fairgrounds
501 Perry Parkway, Gaithersburg