History, culture and community will come together at Black Miners Bar on Lake Natoma this Saturday as the 5th Annual Black Miners Bar Juneteenth Festival celebrates freedom while honoring the legacy of one of California’s earliest recorded Black communities.
The free festival takes place Saturday, June 27, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Black Miners Bar, 9698 Greenback Lane, within the Folsom Lake State Recreation Area. Organized through a partnership between California State Parks and Stafford Consulting Group, the event commemorates Juneteenth while recognizing the Black gold miners who established a settlement at the site in 1849.
This year’s celebration also marks the fourth anniversary of the 2022 renaming of the site from Negro Bar to Black Miners Bar, recognizing the Black miners who lived and worked in the area during the California Gold Rush. Today, the site serves as both a popular recreation destination and a place that preserves the history of one of California’s earliest recorded Black communities.
Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, learned they had been freed—more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. Recognized as a federal holiday in 2021, Juneteenth celebrates freedom while reflecting on the continuing pursuit of equality and civil rights.
Folsom’s observance carries a unique connection to California history. Black Miners Bar was home to one of the state’s earliest recorded Black settlements, where Black prospectors and freedom seekers came during the Gold Rush in search of opportunity and a new life. Some had already secured their freedom before arriving in California, while others came west under enslavement, hoping the promise of the Gold Rush would eventually lead to their independence. The annual festival highlights that history through educational exhibits, cultural programming and family-friendly activities.
Visitors will find activities throughout the day designed for all ages. Living history exhibits and educational displays will explore the stories of Juneteenth and the Black miners who helped establish the settlement. The festival will also feature the Buffalo Soldiers of Northern California 10th Cavalry Regiment, Company G, recreating an authentic historical encampment that offers visitors a glimpse into the lives and service of one of the nation’s first all-Black military regiments. Guided nature hikes, led in partnership with Friends of Lakes Folsom and Natoma, will introduce visitors to the natural beauty of Lake Natoma while highlighting the area’s historical significance.
Live entertainment is scheduled throughout the festival and will feature performances by The LSB Band, the Ariel Marin Band, the award-winning Grant Line Marching Band and additional performers celebrating African American culture and music. Inspirational speakers will also share stories and perspectives honoring the meaning and legacy of Juneteenth.
Families can enjoy a variety of activities throughout the day, including a dedicated Kid Zone, a petting zoo and free horseback riding. Visitors can also browse vendor booths featuring local businesses, artisans and community organizations while enjoying a wide variety of food offerings. Adults can relax in the beer and wine garden hosted by Oak Park Brewing Co. or join in friendly games of dominoes. Paddle sport rentals on Lake Natoma will also be available, and attendees can participate in a vendor bingo activity for a chance to win raffle prizes.
Organizers note the festival is made possible through the efforts of volunteers and numerous community partners working alongside California State Parks to present the annual celebration and preserve the history of Black Miners Bar for future generations.
Admission to the festival is free. Parking at Black Miners Bar is $10 per vehicle through California State Parks.
Additional information, schedules and festival details are available at JuneteenthFolsom.org.
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