(COLORADO SPRINGS) — People of all ages and backgrounds have been enjoying three days of fun with the Southern Colorado Juneteenth Festival happening at the Citadel Mall parking lot on Friday, June 20, through Sunday, June 22.
“I came to celebrate Juneteenth because it is such a pivotal and important aspect of our history and culture as African-American people,” said Ty Boyd, owner of Àse Soapery and cancer awareness platform, Girl’s Breast Friend. “And I think that it’s just important to show up when your community is celebrating community and your own heritage. So that is why I came out to support all the wonderful organizations, performers, and speakers. And just to learn more about my heritage and my culture altogether.”
The 5th annual celebration in Colorado Springs, hosted by OneBodyEnt, included poetry performances, speakers, food trucks, vendors, and music.
“At the Juneteenth Festival? You can expect food, food, trucks, vendors; you can expect education on that stage,” said Jemond G., spokesperson for Southern Colorado Juneteenth Festival. “We’re doing the family feud right now. There’s a car show. We’re going to have a gospel segment on Sunday. Jazz, everything you can imagine, festival style, is what you can expect.”
On June 19, 1865, some of the last slaves finally learned about the Emancipation Proclamation. Juneteenth is also commonly known as Freedom Day.
“Freedom. I mean, this is this was in the Constitution, right? We’re all supposed to be free,” said Rolisha “Coco” Rhone, festival attendee. “And so freedom is just the cornerstone of what we’re supposed to be doing as a society.”
The celebration is meant to bring the community together, with event organizers stressing that it’s a holiday for all Americans to celebrate, regardless of their skin color.
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