CLEVELAND, Ohio -- It is obviously no secret that the Rolling Stones are in Cleveland Saturday, and as concertgoers walked through downtown wearing their Rolling Stones shirts, many made sure to stop by theIt was a beautiful, bright and comfortable late spring day as Juneteeth attendees commemorated the end of slavery on June 19, 1865 through remembrance, celebration, good food, good music and even better company with people of all walks of life. The family-friendly celebration runs through 8 p.
The festival has four stages and features musical acts from gospel to jazz to R&B and more throughout the day, dance performances, reading times, Juneteenth Father’s Day poetry, a DJ, more than 30 vendors, food, games, community partnership booths and even a petting zoo. The original Juneteenth celebrations in Galveston, Texas, were held in churches and were more of a family reunion, picnic style, she said. It was more of a gathering spot to reconnect with family who were emancipated, weren’t emancipated or didn’t know they were emancipated.
Fiona said once they learned it was about Juneteenth, they had to come and show support and see how the locals celebrate this important time in history. Fifteen-year-old Avery Ziemba, of Hinckley, said she loves learning about other cultures and try to understand those said cultures.Jeanette Jordan, 61, of Cleveland, brought her grandchildren to Juneteenth to learn about their Black heritage and know what has happened. She has always taken them to churches for Juneteenth, but has never been to the festival downtown.