Celebrating Juneteenth in Rockville

Juneteenth National Independence Day is celebrated on June 19 to commemorate the ending of slavery in America. It was on June 19, 1865 when Major General Gordan Granger ordered the final enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation in Texas at the end of the American Civil War. https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/stories/historical-legacy-juneteenth

The City of Rockville offers a walking tour of its own local African-American heritage: https://www.rockvillemd.gov/DocumentCenter/View/978/Historic-Rockville-African-American-Walking-Tour-Brochure?bidId=

We will not be taking this tour but biking an 8.5-mile loop and stopping at a couple of historic sites and then celebrating at some local Black-owned businesses, including Ethiopis Restaurant, Island Pride and York Castle Ice Cream. The Rockville Economic Development, Inc (REDI) offers a complete list of black-own business in the City: https://rockvilleredi.org/celebrating-and-elevating-rockvilles-black-businesses/

Learn about local Black history as we ride using neighborhood streets, a shared-use paths and bike lanes. Learn some useful cut-throughs and bike routes to get from King Farm to Town Center and back.

READ THE FINE PRINT, PLEASE:
• Bicycling involves inherent risks and requires that participants be in proper physical condition. When you RSVP "yes" to a Bike Rockville event, that RSVP is your digital signature attesting that you have read, understood, and agreed to the group's Liability Waiver and Release, located here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BocKiaMJwba62c7b583CoOxIYamFiaWN/view?usp=sharing
• HELMETS ARE REQUIRED for all riders on every ride.
• We strongly recommend you bring a water bottle, spare tube, cell phone, ID card, and cash or credit card for emergencies.
• Rain at start cancels the ride; Wet pavement does not.