King Drive was a lively scene on June 19 for Milwaukee’s 55th annual Juneteenth Jubilee Parade, one of the largest and longest-running in the nation.
“I’m here today because I’m happy to be free,” said Brooklyn Carson, who lives in Milwaukee.
Juneteenth is a federal holiday commemorating June 19, 1865, when the last Black slaves of the Confederacy were freed following the arrival of Union Troops in Galveston, Texas.
For many parade participants, Juneteenth is a day to remember history, celebrate achievement and honor culture.
Day of celebration for vendors, participants and community
For several blocks, organizations, clubs, vendors and more sat side-by-side to share their missions and passions with parade-goers.
“We need to inspire the youth to say, ‘You can be a business owner, you can be bold, you can be brilliant,” said Jasmine Webster, a 34-year-old living in Milwaukee. “You can do it all if you put your mind to it.”
Webster said she loved seeing like-minded people come together to share everything they’ve worked for.
Aleta Cox, 62, has attended Milwaukee’s Juneteenth parade since she was a young girl living in the neighborhood near the parade. She recalled walking down the street to honor the occasion when she was younger.
“It means everything,” she said. “I never thought that I would be a vendor, but here I am today.”
Cox, a stage four lung cancer survivor, said she was happy she could still set up her booth for the sixth year in a row.
“It took a lot for me to come this year, but I have some recurring customers that I didn’t want to let down,” she said.
Antoine Dukes, 62, has attended Milwaukee’s Juneteenth parade since he moved to the city in 1985. He, too, highlighted the importance of everyone coming together to show the community what resources are available.
While some vendors are local, some travelled far to be part of the celebration.
Dominic Moab, originally from Ghana, is traveling the country this weekend to participate in Juneteenth parades. Moab’s store, Sage and Shea, is based in Chicago, but he is honored to share traditional clothing from Ghana at Milwaukee’s parade for the 14th year.
The grand marshal of the parade, 91-year-old Reuben Harpole, said he was surprised to receive the honor, but was excited because he has worked to better Milwaukee “almost all his life.”
His family came to support him as he opened the parade by riding in a red Corvette, wearing what he said was a new dashiki shirt for the special occasion.
“I’ll be looking at people up and down the street,” Harpole said.
Milwaukee’s 55th Juneteenth celebration
Milwaukee founded its annual Juneteenth Jubilee parade in 1971, making it one of the oldest Juneteenth celebrations in the nation.
A large crowd of people of all ages with Juneteenth flags and shirts stretched several blocks as music blared, the smells of food trucks filled the air and vendors set up along the street. The event was organized by Northcott Neighborhood House.
The parade began at 9th Street and Atkinson Avenue and headed east, eventually turning south on King Drive to Burleigh.
9 a.m. marked the official start of the parade, but vendors arrived as early as 7:30. The parade concluded at 11 a.m., serving as a kick-off to a day full of celebration.
To commemorate this year’s milestone, a full day of events will also take place at Summerfest grounds.
Patrice Cross of Milwaukee said she hadn’t attended the parade in 27 years, and felt excited to return for the special milestone.
“I just love the togetherness,” Cross said. “I hope they still keep [the parade] going.”
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee gathers for one of the oldest Juneteenth celebrations in the US
Reporting by Elena Metinidis, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Elena Metinidis, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | USA TODAY Network
