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Approval of a Venue for the 2026 Juneteenth Celebration.
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Meeting Date: March 18, 2026
Contact Person/Dept: Edgar Varela/Special Events Manager
Elaine Gerety-Warner Economic & Community Development Director
Phone Number: Special Events (310) 253-6645
Economic & Community Development (310) 253-5777
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [] No []
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [X] Attachments: Yes [] No [X]
Public Notification: (E-mail) Meetings and Agendas - MLK Celebration and Juneteenth Advisory Committee (03/12/2026); (E-mail) Parks, Recreation & Community Service Department Updates (03/12/2026)
Department Approval: Adam Ferguson, PRCS Deputy Director (03/12/2026)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration and Juneteenth Celebration Advisory Committee Approval of a Venue for the 2026 Juneteenth Celebration.
BACKGROUND
The Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration and Juneteenth Celebration Advisory Committee (Advisory Committee) is tasked with advising the Economic & Community Development event staff with the planning of the 2026 Juneteenth Celebration. With the timeline of the event being 5 months away, staff has put together venue options for the Advisory Committee.
DISCUSSION
Staff is recommending several potential locations for the Advisory Committee’s consideration. In making this recommendation, staff also suggests leaning into the tradition of hosting the event in a larger, open setting that supports a summer cookout-style atmosphere-one that emphasizes family, community gathering, interactive activities, games, and live music to foster meaningful engagement and accessibility (attachment 1)
When evaluating the most suitable location for the event, staff recommends considering the following factors:
• The potential to effectively engage the community in an open, welcoming environment
• Venue capacity to accommodate anticipated attendance and programming
• Public accessibility and visibility
• Cost considerations
The proposed venues include:
Staff also carefully evaluates the logistical implications of each option, including budget, staffing requirements, and the ability to execute the event within available resources. Special Events staff may recommend adjustments to the venue selection based on availability, cost, scheduling, and permitting considerations.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this discussion.
ATTACHMENTS
1. 2026-03-18_ATT1 Juneteenth Celebration Mock-Up
MOTIONS
That the Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration and Juneteenth Celebration Advisory Committee:
Approval of a Venue for the 2026 Juneteenth Celebration.