{"id":269711,"date":"2026-05-13T17:34:06","date_gmt":"2026-05-13T17:34:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/269711\/"},"modified":"2026-05-13T17:34:06","modified_gmt":"2026-05-13T17:34:06","slug":"florida-emancipation-day-events-and-closures-you-need-to-be-aware-of","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/269711\/","title":{"rendered":"FLORIDA EMANCIPATION DAY: Events and closures you need to be aware of"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>TALLAHASSEE, FL \u2014 On May 20th, many communities in the Big Bend are preparing to celebrate Florida\u2019s Emancipation Day. In honor of the holiday, below is a sequence of events and closures you can look forward to<\/p>\n<p>    Tallahassee\u00a0closures\u00a0and\u00a0service\u00a0changes<\/p>\n<p>The City of Tallahassee&#8217;s administrative offices will be closed in observance of the Emancipation Day holiday.<\/p>\n<p>    Garbage\u00a0and\u00a0recycling\u00a0collection<\/p>\n<p>Some residential solid waste customers living within Tallahassee city limits will receive garbage and recycling service one day later than their regularly scheduled pickup during the holiday week of May 17th-23rd. This affects blue week customers:<\/p>\n<p>Monday customers &#8211; No changeTuesday customers &#8211; No changeWednesday customers -Thursday, May 21stThursday customers &#8211; Friday, May 22ndFriday customers &#8211; Saturday, May 23rd<\/p>\n<p>This delay applies to garbage, recycling, bulky items, and yard waste. Containers should be rolled behind the curb the night before the service day and returned to the home no later than the day after collection. Bulky items and yard waste should be placed behind the curb no earlier than the weekend before your collection day.<\/p>\n<p>To look up collection dates for specific addresses, click<a class=\"Link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.talgov.com\/you\/you-solidwaste\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> here <\/a>or call 850-891-4968.<\/p>\n<p>    StarMetro<\/p>\n<p>StarMetro will operate a regular schedule with night service on Wednesday. Dial-A-Ride will operate from 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., and the Call Center will be open from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. The Appleyard Front Desk and administrative offices will be closed. <\/p>\n<p>    Animal\u00a0Services<\/p>\n<p>The Animal Service Center will be closed. Normal hours resume Thursday, May 21st, with the center opening at 10:00 a.m. for appointments and from 1:00-5:00 p.m. for walk-in kennel viewings. For photos of animals available for adoption and to report lost and found pets, click<a class=\"Link\" href=\"https:\/\/urldefense.com\/v3\/__https:\/\/www.talgov.com\/starmetro\/starmetroHome.aspx__;!!FJkDyvWmnr4!eBhthGrE4IbxJXEmPg07R5cUUsPUGoV0K3YZqBMWtPqFjLq__1bg1qpIB2FYsyAPY4YtzVy7TGsAjkdQdiU2I43VbmeX5-rxbQ$\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> here. <\/a><\/p>\n<p>City Animal Control will be available for emergencies only on Wednesday and can be reached through the Consolidated Dispatch Agency at 850-606-5800.<\/p>\n<p>    City-run\u00a0community\u00a0centers<\/p>\n<p>Community centers operated by the City of Tallahassee Parks, Recreation, and Neighborhood Affairs Department will be closed and resume normal hours on Thursday, May 21st.<\/p>\n<p>    Leon\u00a0County\u00a0closures\u00a0and\u00a0service\u00a0changes<\/p>\n<p>In 2020, Leon County became the first county in Florida to recognize Florida Emancipation Day as an official county holiday.<\/p>\n<p>The following facilities will be closed:<\/p>\n<p>Leon\u00a0County\u00a0officesLeon\u00a0County\u00a0librariesLeon\u00a0County\u00a0community\u00a0centersLeon\u00a0County\u00a0Animal\u00a0ControlLeon\u00a0County\u00a0Solid\u00a0Waste\u00a0and\u00a0Household\u00a0Hazardous\u00a0Waste\u00a0Center<\/p>\n<p>Leon County Parks and Recreation facilities \u2014 including parks, greenways, campgrounds, and boat landings \u2014 will remain open.<\/p>\n<p>    Libraries<\/p>\n<p>All LeRoy Collins Leon County Public Library branches will close Tuesday, May 19th, at 6:00 p.m. The downtown Main Library will close on Tuesday at 9:00 p.m. All libraries will resume normal operating hours on Thursday, May 21st.<\/p>\n<p>    Library Local Events:<\/p>\n<p>Looking\u00a0Back\u00a0at\u00a0Florida\u00a0Emancipation\u00a0Day: Thursday,\u00a0May\u00a014th,\u00a05:00-6:00 p.m. at Jane\u00a0G.\u00a0Sauls\u00a0Fort\u00a0Braden\u00a0Branch\u00a0Library.<br \/>\u00a0Educators\u00a0from\u00a0the\u00a0Museum\u00a0of\u00a0Florida\u00a0History\u00a0will\u00a0discuss\u00a0the\u00a0unique\u00a0history\u00a0behind\u00a0the\u00a0events\u00a0of\u00a0May\u00a020th.Uncovering\u00a0the\u00a0Past:\u00a0Florida&#8217;s\u00a0Hidden\u00a0History: Tuesday,\u00a0May\u00a026th,\u00a06:00-7:30\u00a0p.m. at Leon\u00a0County\u00a0Main\u00a0Library.\u00a0<br \/>A\u00a0screening\u00a0of\u00a0Invisible\u00a0History:\u00a0Middle\u00a0Florida&#8217;s\u00a0Hidden\u00a0Roots,\u00a0a\u00a0documentary\u00a0exploring\u00a0the\u00a0region&#8217;s\u00a0overlooked\u00a0history.\u00a0Director\u00a0Valerie\u00a0Scoon\u00a0of\u00a0Florida\u00a0State\u00a0University&#8217;s\u00a0College\u00a0of\u00a0Motion\u00a0Picture\u00a0Arts\u00a0will\u00a0share\u00a0insights\u00a0and\u00a0lead\u00a0a\u00a0discussion\u00a0following\u00a0the\u00a0film.<br \/>\n    Solid\u00a0waste<\/p>\n<p>The Solid Waste Management Center on Apalachee Parkway will close Tuesday, May 19th, at 5:00 p.m. and resume regular operating hours Thursday, May 21st.<\/p>\n<p>Residential waste collection routes will be delayed one day for residents whose normal pickup day falls on the holiday. Waste Pro&#8217;s holiday schedule can be found at WasteProUSA.com. For more information, call the Leon County Solid Waste Management Division at 850-606-1800.<\/p>\n<p>    Animal\u00a0Control<\/p>\n<p>Leon County Animal Control will be closed on Wednesday, May 20th. In the event of an animal-related emergency, service is available by calling the Consolidated Dispatch Agency at 850-606-5800. Leon County Animal Control encourages residents to use this service only to report dangerous or aggressive dogs, sick or injured domestic animals, and animal cruelty. Injured wildlife calls will be forwarded to the St. Francis Wildlife Association at 850-627-4151.<\/p>\n<p>    Tallahassee events:<\/p>\n<p>The City of Tallahassee supports the 20th of May \u2013 Emancipation in Florida project, presented by the Knott House Museum and the John G. Riley Center &amp; Museum. All events are free and open to the public.<\/p>\n<p>Wednesday,\u00a0May\u00a020th<\/p>\n<p>10:00 a.m.\u00a0\u2014\u00a0John\u00a0G.\u00a0Riley\u00a0Center\u00a0&amp;\u00a0Museum\u00a0Civil\u00a0War\u00a0Commemorative\u00a0Service\u00a0at\u00a0Old\u00a0City\u00a0Cemetery,\u00a0400\u00a0W.\u00a0Park\u00a0Ave.11:00 a.m.\u00a0\u2014\u00a0Church\u00a0bells\u00a0ring\u00a0throughout\u00a0Tallahassee11:30\u00a0a.m.\u00a0\u2014\u00a0Emancipation\u00a0Day\u00a0program\u00a0featuring\u00a0a\u00a0dramatic\u00a0reading\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0Emancipation\u00a0Proclamation\u00a0at\u00a0the\u00a0Knott\u00a0House\u00a0Museum,\u00a0301\u00a0E.\u00a0Park\u00a0Ave.,\u00a0followed\u00a0by\u00a0lunch\u00a0and\u00a0activities\u00a0in\u00a0Lewis\u00a0Park2:00-4:00\u00a0p.m.\u00a0\u2014\u00a0Museums\u00a0open\u00a0for\u00a0tours:John\u00a0G.\u00a0Riley\u00a0Center\u00a0&amp;\u00a0Museum,\u00a0419\u00a0E.\u00a0Jefferson\u00a0St.The\u00a0Grove\u00a0Museum,\u00a0902\u00a0N.\u00a0Monroe\u00a0St.Union\u00a0Bank\u00a0Museum,\u00a0219\u00a0Apalachee\u00a0Pkwy.Florida\u00a0Historic\u00a0Capitol\u00a0Museum,\u00a0400\u00a0S.\u00a0Monroe\u00a0St.<\/p>\n<p>For more information about Emancipation Day events, click<a class=\"Link\" href=\"https:\/\/urldefense.com\/v3\/__https:\/\/www.museumoffloridahistory.com\/visit\/knott-house-museum\/20th-of-may-commemoration\/__;!!FJkDyvWmnr4!daXAWmeMRc_yh0sKCBQIESwA1D0RfZo5HWwiYEDJrWOweWRzpmZ5PvuCuKTBX38A0loGRyTrUklTdEDcuBSU69Se9xwsL7gPVw$\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> here.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>This story has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy<\/p>\n<p>Want to see more local news? Visit the <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wtxl.com\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">WTXL ABC 27 Website.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Stay in touch with us anywhere, anytime.<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"Link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/WTXLABC27\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Like us on Facebook<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Follow us on<a class=\"Link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/wtxlabc27\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">\u00a0Instagram\u00a0<\/a>and <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/abc27\" rel=\"nofollow\">X.<\/a><\/p>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"TALLAHASSEE, FL \u2014 On May 20th, many communities in the Big Bend are preparing to celebrate Florida\u2019s Emancipation&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":269712,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[242,509,115769,1289,232,234,233,562],"class_list":["post-269711","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-tallahassee","tag-abc-27","tag-big-bend","tag-florida-emancipation-day","tag-leon-county","tag-tallahassee","tag-tallahassee-headlines","tag-tallahassee-news","tag-wtxl"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/269711","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=269711"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/269711\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/269712"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=269711"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=269711"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=269711"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}