RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. [June 5, 2025] – Families across the Triangle will celebrate Juneteenth with a lively afternoon of art, music, community and cultural connection at Hub RTP, Research Triangle Park (RTP)’s vibrant downtown district. Now in its third year, “Party in the Park: Juneteenth Edition” will take place on Thursday, June 19, from 12 to 3 p.m. The event aligns with Juneteenth as the federal holiday to commemorate the ending of slavery in the United States.
This year’s celebration features live performances from local artists, including spoken-word poet Dasan Ahanu, musician Arvetra D. Jones and Empower Dance Studio. Vibes heat up with jams by DJ Damu, group line dancing led by Marvis Henderson Daye and high-energy Double Dutch sessions with the 40+ Double Dutch Club. Attendees can cool off from the summer sun at the newly activated splashpad or join in friendly competition with yard games, both designed to create fun for families and children in mind.
A curated vendor market will showcase original works and handmade goods from makers shaping the creative landscape of the Triangle. Shop ceramic art by Sweet Hive Pottery, timeless vases, pots and more by Eric Debrah Pottery, statement pieces by AA The Beautiful, fragrance and design by Fleur à Noor, nature-inspired crafts and florals by Piipe Flowers and Crafts, mixed media art by Frakaono, beaded creations by Booget Bracelet and art and adornments by Wanderlust Bee.
A dynamic lineup of food and dessert vendors will fuel the fun, including The Flat Drum, Boricua Soul, The Naked Empanada, Lornett’s Southern Kitchen, Gator on the Grille, Same O Dame O’s, Fired Up Pizza and BBQ, OMG Lemonade, OMG Banana Pudding and CocoCrissi Tropical Icees. The first 50 people to check in upon arrival will receive a voucher for a free Icee.
Leaders from local nonprofits – including Urban Ministries of Durham, GoDurham, Communities in Partnership and Duke OBGYN – will connect with attendees and share resources on civil rights advocacy, homelessness and hunger relief, public transportation access, community organizing, food justice, as well as maternal and reproductive health care.
“This meaningful occasion blends remembrance with fellowship, whether you’re jumping into a Double Dutch session, cooling off at the splashpad or engaging with local leaders about driving positive change,” said Alisha Anderson, placemaking manager for the Research Triangle Foundation of North Carolina, stewards of RTP. “This annual gathering invites the greater Triangle community to honor history while renewing our shared commitment to building a vibrant and equitable community.”
The event is free and open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to bring picnic blankets or lawn chairs and sunscreen, towels or a change of clothes for the splashpad. In the event of inclement weather, Party in the Park will move to Friday, June 20. Updates will be shared with registered guests via TicketTailor.
To learn more and register for Party in the Park: Juneteenth Edition, visit https://hub.rtp.org/event/party-in-the-park-juneteenth-edition.
About Hub RTP
Hub RTP is the new, vibrant downtown district of Research Triangle Park (RTP), North America’s largest research park. At full build out, Hub RTP will feature up to one million square feet of office and lab space, 279 hotel rooms, 1,200 multifamily residential units, and 50K square feet of restaurant and retail space, all designed to bring people together to work, play and stay in RTP. An impressive 16 acres of parks and greenspace includes the award-winning and eco-friendly Burdens Creek, which connects more than 20 miles of trails in RTP. Centrally located in the heart of the Triangle region, the 100-acre district includes Horseshoe at Hub RTP, the mixed-use town square of the development, Frontier RTP, an innovative startup community, and Boxyard RTP, a unique food, retail and entertainment destination. To learn more about Hub RTP and current leasing opportunities, visit https://hub.rtp.org.
About Research Triangle Foundation of North Carolina
Since 1959, the Research Triangle Foundation of North Carolina (Foundation) has led the strategic vision and development of Research Triangle Park (RTP). As a 501(c)(4) nonprofit, the Foundation fosters transformative collaborations among universities, industry, government and the workforce, while attracting the world’s most innovative companies and top-tier talent to the region. By promoting groundbreaking research, scientific advancements and technology-based innovation within RTP, the Foundation supports quality job creation and strengthens North Carolina’s economic landscape. As the steward of RTP, North America’s largest research park, the Foundation prioritizes connection and is reimagining the region with projects like Hub RTP, RTP’s new vibrant downtown destination that cultivates a community where people can live, work, play and stay. Recognized with consecutive Triangle Business Journal Leaders in Diversity Awards in 2023 and 2024, the Foundation champions sustainable growth and inclusivity as pillars of RTP’s legacy and future. To learn more about Research Triangle Foundation of North Carolina, visit https://rtp.org.
Media Contact for Research Triangle Foundation of North Carolina
Ana Velez
Marketing Manager
velez@rtp.org