Tampa Celebrates Juneteenth + Sykes For Sale + Ballerina Dream

Good Morning and Happy Juneteenth.

Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery, and is regularly observed with celebrations of African American culture on June 19th. It originated in Galveston, Texas, in 1866 and became a federal holiday earlier this week. You’ll find events all around town today that you can attend to mark the day.

In today’s issue, you’ll learn about the sale of a major Tampa company, a 76-year-old local woman who fulfilled her dream, and more. Now, grab your coffee and let’s get started.

Today’s weather: The high is 92 and the low is 77 with mostly cloudy skies.

Here are the top 5 stories happening around Tampa:

1. The City of Tampa celebrated Juneteenth for the first time on Friday by raising the Juneteenth flag and lighting Old City Hall and downtown bridges. Events will be held around the city today. (Patch)

2. Tampa’s Sykes is being acquired by Miami-based Sitel Group in a $22 billion deal. The combined companies will have 155,000 employees. Sykes is well-known to locals for its name on the Beer Can Building in downtown Tampa. (Tampa Bay Times)

3. A 76-year-old Palm Harbor woman fulfilled her lifelong dream of being a ballerina at a local dance studio. (Fox 13 Tampa Bay)

4. The Hamburglar has struck again in Lakeland, hitting a McDonald’s on South Florida Avenue. (WFLA)

5. Sarasota Rep. Greg Steube was among the group of elected officials who voted against giving Congressional Gold Medals to the Capitol Police who protected Capitol Hill on January 6th. The bill passed the House regardless with a 406-21 vote. (Patch)

Today in Tampa:

• Father's Day Fishing Tournament at Carrollwood Village Park. (8 a.m.)
• East Pasco Juneteenth Community Celebration at James Irvin Center (9 a.m.)
• "Oh Freedom!!" 1st Annual Juneteenth Commemoration. (10 a.m.)
• JUNETEENTH Freedom Event. (11 a.m.)
• Juneteenth Business Expo 2021 in South St. Petersburg. (11 a.m.)
• Father's Day Crafts at Creative Junk Therapy. (12 p.m.)
• Juneteenth Jam - A Celebration of Liberation in St. Petersburg. (12 p.m.)
• Brunch Buffet Cruise at Yacht StarShip. (12:30 p.m.)
• JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION at Sulphur Springs Museum. (1 p.m.)
• 29th Annual Juneteenth Observance at Coleman-Bush Building Lakeland. (3 p.m.)
• Tampa Bay Lightning Stanley Cup Game 4 Watch Party and Bar Crawl at American Social Tampa. (4 p.m.)
• Day Dreamz Juneteenth Day Party at 7th + Grove. (5 p.m.)
• AfroCAN Fest: Night Garden Experience at Tampa Garden Club. Juneteenth commemoration with live entertainment from fashion to Black designers, live art, dining options from various Black culinary artists, DJ by the waterfront, and more. (6:19 p.m.)
• Tampa Bay Rowdies vs. Pittsburgh Riverhounds. Al Lang Stadium. (7:30 p.m.)
• Feed Yo Soul Fest (Juneteenth Edition) at Tabellas Delaney Creek. (8 p.m.)

Tampa Patch Notebook:

• If you’re looking for Father’s Day deals and freebies this weekend, I compiled a list.

From our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

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Featured Classified: Job Listing - @ Home Health & Wellness C B D Sales Reps Needed

That's all for today. I will be back tomorrow with the latest happening in Tampa. My inbox is open if you have any tips to send or want to reach out: tampadaily@patch.com

-Carlos Hernandez

About me: I have lived in Florida since 1999 and covered the Tampa area for nearly 10 years, mainly with a focus on food through my blog at CarlosEats.com.