Juneteenth: What's Open, What's Closed In Howard County?

Columbia MD

16 June, 2022

9:38 AM

Description

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — Because the June 19 Juneteenth holiday falls on a Sunday this year, banks, federal offices and the post office in Howard County will be closed Monday in commemoration of the date in 1865 when word reached the last enslaved people in Texas that the Civil War had ended and they were free. Many state and local government offices will be closed as well. Howard County 50+ centers, courts and the county animal shelter will be closed Monday. However, there will be regular Monday curbside trash, recycling, yard trim and food scrap collections and the Alpha Ridge Landfill will be open. "Juneteenth is a historic day for our country, as the oldest known celebration commemorating the end of slavery in the United States," Howard County Executive Calvin Ball said. "In Howard County, we know that diversity is our strength and we are always working to be more equitable and inclusive. That's why in 2021 we took the important step of making Juneteenth an official county holiday, so our community has the opportunity to recognize and learn more about this defining day." While county parks, Gary J. Arthur, North Laurel and Roger Carter Community Centers, and the Meadowbrook Athletic Complex will be open Monday, the Kiwanis-Wallas Hall, Belmont Manor and Historic Park, Ellicott City Colored School Restored, Baltimore & Ohio Ellicott City Station Museum, Robinson Nature Center, Firehouse Museum, Patapsco Female Institute and county historic sites will be closed. The Regional Transportation Agency will operate on a regular weekday schedule; for more information about the RTA, call 1-800-270-9553 or visit www.transitrta.com. All parking regulations and fees will be in effect on June 20th. The 9-1-1 Center, police and fire departments remain staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. All county library branches will be closed. All Howard County Public School System buildings and offices also will be closed. Last year, President Joe Biden signed legislation making Juneteenth an official holiday, becoming the first new federal holiday since Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday was approved in 1983. Juneteenth is oldest-known celebration of the end of slavery in the United States. Patch employees have the day off Monday. Some other businesses around town may also be closed; so if you're planning to stop by one of them, it's a good idea to call ahead to make sure the business is open. Some big brands are giving their employees a day off or paying them extra. Companies that are already looking seriously at diversity, equity and inclusion efforts may see adding Juneteenth as a paid holiday as "something tangible" that "recognizes the importance of that day," Julie Stich, a vice president of content at the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans, told NPR. Nike said in an email statement to NPR that Juneteenth is a paid holiday for corporate, retail, manufacturing and distribution employees across the Nike, Converse and Jordan brands. Zillow is doing the same as part of its "ongoing commitment to racial equality," the company said in a statement. Both Zillow and Nike are encouraging employees to reflect on the importance of the day while taking part in volunteering, activism and educational opportunities. Among them, Target and Starbucks are open, but employees get time-and-a-half pay on Juneteenth, according to a list put together by Entrepreneur. Tech companies Twitter and Square are giving employees the day off. Google and Amazon aren't, but they're encouraging employees to cancel meetings. Amazon is also offering "online learning opportunities" throughout the day.