By Heather Madsen
Historically, the month of June has held some of our country’s most meaningful events, and in later years, their commemorative celebrations. From Stonewall to D-Day, June anniversaries present a time to remember the people who have fought for our nation’s rights and to reflect on the progress we’ve made, and the progress we’ve yet to achieve. One of these events is Juneteenth: the commemorative date of when the US military arrived in Texas to announce and enforce the emancipation of enslaved people.
Juneteenth has been widely celebrated by people of color for many years, despite the fact that it was only made an official federal holiday in 2021. Utah has held a festival for Juneteenth for 33 years, and now it’s time to get ready for the 34th annual Juneteenth Freedom and Heritage Festival!
This year’s theme is Wave of Freedom. The festival will be held on June 17th and 18th at the Ogden Amphitheater, and it will kick off at noon on both days. This event is free to attend, but you’ll want to bring some money with you to sample all the mouth-watering food! There will also be live music from various talented artists, games and activities for kids, dancing, educational displays, barber and braiding competitions, and more!
If you are not a person of color, you are still welcome and encouraged to attend! Learning about Black history and celebrating their accomplishments is a great way to show your support. The festival will be a great time for the whole family, and it’s an excellent way to champion Black artists, creators, and your community. So we hope you come with open arms and empty stomachs to enjoy a wonderful weekend with us!
More Juneteenth-related events and additional festival information can be found at projectsuccessinc.org.