On June 19, 1965, Union Army Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger ordered the Emancipation Proclamation be enforced in Texas, effectively ending slavery in America since by that time, that’s where the last enslaved people were.

The resulting holiday, Juneteenth, was celebrated locally in parts of the south over the next few years, and that celebration spread to Black communities nationwide over the next several decades. In 2021, Juneteenth became a federal holiday under President Joe Biden.

Newton is celebrating Juneteenth with events focused on diversity, social justice and community building. And one of the events will include Patriots rookie players.

Here are five things to do in Newton this weekend.

Friday, June 19

From 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., the New England Patriots’ rookie squad will host a Juneteenth community non-contact football clinic focused on skills, drills, and teamwork, at Newton North High School. The professional athletes will lead participants, grouped by grade level, through an on-field training experience designed to build fundamentals, and there will be time set aside for photos and autographs.

From 12 to 4 p.m.: Celebrate Juneteenth at the Hyde Community Center, 90 Lincoln St., with food, music and other performances. There will be a high-energy concert featuring The GRV from 6 to 8 p.m., and watch the film Black Panther from 8 to 10 p.m.

From 7:30 to 9 p.m., The Allen Center will host the 21st Annual Pan-Mass Challenge Benefit Concert, raising funds for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Newton Cultural Alliance board member Sayuri Miyamoto and her husband, Joel Bard, will be joined by friends from the Boston and Atlanta Symphony Orchestras and the Lydian String Quartet. Tickets are $35.

Saturday, June 20

From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.: The Scandinavian Cultural Center, 206 Waltham St., will celebrate Midsummer with dancing around a maypole, live music and food at the Scandinavian Cultural Center, 206 Waltham St. Tickets are $30 for adults and $15 for children and includes lunch.

Sunday, June 21

From 2 to 3 p.m.: Pamela Means will perform a concert covering The Beatles’ Abbey Road album at the Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St. Admission is free.

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You can find more events or submit your own on our Events Page.

And the city has an ongoing list of arts-related events on the Newton Arts Calendar.