HAMPTON ROADS, Va. (WAVY) – Many city and county offices are closing in addition to those at the state and federal level in observance of Juneteenth on Friday, June 18.
In Virginia, many statewide offices will be closed, including the DMV. Their call center and social media customer services will also be closed. Most federal employees will also observe the holiday on Friday, after after President Biden signed the bill making Juneteenth a federal holiday on Thursday.
The holiday on June 19 marks the day slaves in Texas learned they were free, about two and a half years after President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation.
Last year, Virginia Governor Ralph Northam was joined by Virginia Beach native and music superstar Pharrell Williams to announce making Juneteenth a paid state holiday.
Here is the list of changes in your city or county:
Chesapeake
The City of Chesapeake’s offices, courts, community centers, and the Visitor Center will be closed on Friday, June 18. Public libraries will be closed on both Friday and Saturday.
There will be no changes to resident’s trash and recycling pickups.
Offices will reopen at regular business hours on Monday, June 21.
Elizabeth City
Elizabeth City will close their city offices on Friday, June 18 to observe Juneteenth.
Hampton
The City of Hampton recognizes Juneteenth as a city holiday.
Officials confirmed most city offices will be closed on Friday, June 18.
There will be no regular trash pickup on Friday. Instead, Friday’s trash routes will be picked up early – on Wednesday, June 16. Also, circuit and district courts, along with most state offices, will be closed.
James City County
James City County offices, libraries and courts will be closed on Friday, June 18. The parks and garbage transfer station will remain open.
There will be no changes to curbside recycling.
Newport News
Newport News’ city offices, libraries, and recovery operation centers will be closed on Friday, June 18. In addition, the libraries and recovery operation center will also be closed on Saturday.
In addition, trash and recycling pickup will not be affected.
Norfolk
Norfolk’s city offices, Courthouse, the Commissioner of the Revenue, the Treasurer’s Office and the Norfolk Department of Public Health will all be closed on Friday, June 18. In addition, the libraries and recs centers will also be closed.
Waste Management trash collection will continue as usual. However, requests for bulk waste collection must be made by 3 p.m. on June 17.
Portsmouth
The City of Portsmouth’s municipal offices, including libraries and recreation centers, will be closed on Friday, June 18, in observance of the Juneteenth holiday.
There will be no trash, recycling, or bulk collections on Friday, June 18, and all Friday routes will be collected in advance on Wednesday, June 16.
The Portsmouth Museums have reopened three of its five museums: The Children’s Museum of Virginia, the Portsmouth Art & Cultural Center, and the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum which will operate with normal schedules on June 18 and June 19.
The Visitor Welcome Center, located at 206 High Street, is open every day of the week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Suffolk
The City of Suffolk will close their offices, parks & rec facilities and libraries will all be closed on Friday, June 18. Their parks will remain open, but no attendant will be on-site.
There will not be any changes in trash pickup between June 15 and June 18.
Virginia Beach
Most city offices and facilities, including libraries, will be closed on Friday, June 18. All recreation centers, parks and park facilities will, however, remain open.
There will be no change to trash pickup, however, the administrative offices will be closed.
Williamsburg
City offices in Williamsburg will be closed on Friday, June 18 for the Juneteenth holiday.
