Welcome To The Cookout
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Welcome To The Cookout
June 17, 2023 @ 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Make sure you’re invited to the BCRI Cookout! Our team has curated a commemorative Juneteenth event as a tribute to the many celebrations that have taken place in Magic City backyards throughout the past.
As we celebrate freedom and independence, we also recognize we’re better together – so get ready to pull up a chair, grab a cool drink, and have a good time with the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute!
Pre-register
Registration is now open. Get your ticket early and be able to skip the registration line at The Cookout.
What’s Happening
This day of celebration will feature free gallery tours, food trucks, live entertainment, a children’s village, tournaments, empowerment workshops, and more!
Free Gallery Tours
On Juneteenth, admission to our historic galleries will be free for everyone who wishes to come. You will be enlightened and educated by Galleries Alive as you make your way through the museum.
Food Trucks & Vendor Village
It’s not a cookout without food! Guests can choose from a variety of on-site food trucks and browse through the vendor village to do some shopping.
Live Music
We’ll welcome special guests to our main stage to give live performances throughout our celebration and keep the cookout going strong.
Children’s Village
The Southern Center for Broadening Participation in STEM and The National Hook-Up of Black Women Birmingham will host a variety of activities in our Children’s Village. This will include hands-on science activities like chemistry ice cream, drones, button making, as well as storytelling, arts and crafts, and more!
Tournaments
Cards
Can you hold your own at the cards table? Join the tournament. Throughout the day, you will have serval opportunities to prove your mastery of the deck. Prizes will be awarded to the top card sharks.
Dominos
It’s a Bones battle! Pull up a chair, meet some new people, flex your skills, and slam some dominoes! Prizes will be given to the top players. Just try not to break the tables.
Food Competitions
If you think you make the best pound cake in Birmingham, we’re giving you a chance to prove it! We’re hosting a pound cake competition at The Cookout. Bring your best and let the judges decide who will take home the top prize and, more importantly, bragging rights!
Genealogy Workshops
We’re excited to continue our popular genealogy workshops presented in partnership with The Birmingham African American Genealogy Group, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, The Freedmen’s Bureau, and Shelby County Research. The community will be guided in tracing their roots as they learn genealogy basics and best practices for navigating their family histories. Advanced classes will be offered to those who entered the foundational class in previous years.
Register for Genealogy Workshops
10:00 – 11:30 Genealogy 101
12:30 – 2:00 Genealogy 201
2:30 – 4:00 Genealogy 201
Volunteers Needed
Volunteers are an essential part of making this event successful. We offer flexible volunteer schedules. Even if you are short on time, you can still get involved in a meaningful way. Please consider joining as an individual or as a team to help ensure our guests have an amazing day!