Motown legends The Shades of Blue to headline Medina Juneteenth

Fifth annual event on square will feature music, speakers, vendors and community activities

Five men stand together in matching green and blue sequined jackets against a black background.

Detroit Motown group The Shades of Blue will headline Medina’s fifth annual Juneteenth Celebration on June 13 with live music, speakers, vendors and community activities on the Historic Square.

Submitted

Published May 26, 2026 - 4:50 p.m. Modified May 26, 2026 - 4:53 p.m.

The Shades of Blue, the iconic Motown legends from Detroit, will bring their high-energy sound to Medina’s fifth annual Juneteenth Celebration on Saturday, June 13, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Medina’s Historic Square. Also performing will be spoken word artist Janette...ikz, pronounced “genetics.”

Kenny Crumpton, “Kickin’ It with Kenny” Emmy Award-winning Fox 8 News morning show reporter, will return as emcee for the event. The keynote speaker, returning by popular demand, will be Danita Harris, Emmy Award winner and Ohio Broadcasters Hall of Fame inductee who currently anchors WKYC Channel 3’s “GO! Morning Show.”

Cleveland Clinic Medina Hospital returns as title sponsor for the fifth year, along with Jubilee Sponsor Westfield and Champion Sponsors American NewMedia Educational Foundation, Huntington and United Way of Summit & Medina. Juneteenth Ally Sponsors are Critchfield, Critchfield & Johnston, Walker & Jocke, and Bob Smith and Ann Cole.

Tracey Ruffin of Sister Circle Medina said this year’s event is bigger than ever, with more than 37 vendors participating, including community organizations, Black-owned businesses, food trucks and children’s activities alongside Main Street Medina’s Farmers Market.

She and other steering committee members – Pastor Arthur Ruffin of Second Baptist Church, Pam Miller with the Medina Diversity Project, Medina Mayor Jim Shields, Angela Mansier with Main Street Medina and other community partners – said they are pleased with the response to the fifth annual celebration.

“As we commemorate this country’s 250th birthday,” Pastor Ruffin said, “it’s our mission here in Medina to bring all Americans together to celebrate our common bond of freedom, through observance, education and recognition of Juneteenth in America. It’s an opportunity for our community to challenge racism, to celebrate African American freedom and achievement.

“This couldn’t be a more important time to come together in solidarity, to acknowledge that 4 million people were enslaved in our country before and after independence and to commit to a future that recognizes the contributions of all Americans regardless of the color of their skin.”