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Thursday, May 21, 2026

The Gainesville Ledger

Gainesville kicks off sixth annual Journey to Juneteenth celebration

The City of Gainesville launched its monthlong Journey to Juneteenth series with a flag-raising ceremony recognizing May 20, 1865 — the date enslaved people in Tallahassee first learned of their freedom. This year’s theme is A Season of Freedom, Strength & Unity, and events run through June 19 and include a Florida Emancipation Celebration at the Cotton Club Museum and a Juneteenth Film Festival at the Hippodrome Cinema. All featured events are free and open to the public.

Sources: Mainstreet Daily News · City of Gainesville

Gainesville cyclists ride in silence to honor bicyclists killed on local roads

Dozens of cyclists gathered at Depot Park on Tuesday for the second annual Ride of Silence, a tribute to those killed while riding bicycles in Gainesville. Participants rode from Depot Park to Boulware Springs Park to raise awareness about bicycle safety, pausing at the Share the Road Memorial, which honors two cyclists killed by a distracted driver in 1996. UF Health Shands Trauma Center partnered with the event to distribute free helmets to children.

Sources: WCJB TV20

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