PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — On Saturday, Festival Park in Portsmouth will fill with artists, soul food vendors and minority owned businesses to honor a pivotal moment in American history. Juneteenth is recognized as the day slavery came to an end in the United States.
The Juneteenth Freedom Day Celebration was originally held at Riverfront in Norfolk. The third annual celebration is the first time this event comes to the City of Portsmouth.
This yearly event is put on by the Urban League of Hampton Roads. Its President, Gil Bland, hopes the celebration will teach families about how slavery started and ended in this region.
President Abraham Lincoln read the Emancipation Proclamation in Hampton in January of 1863. It took more than two years for a Union army general to announce that all slaves are to be freed in Galveston, Texas on June 19th, 1865. Juneteenth became a federally recognized holiday in 2021.
“A very important aspect of the history of America, particularly since Hampton Roads is really the home to America, and also to enslavement and the end of enslavement,” Bland explained.
More than 5,000 people are expected to come to the free Juneteenth celebration. Nationally renowned artists, such as Syleena Johnson and Hi-Five, will perform there — along with many other local artists.
“Just have a good time,” Bland said. “We welcome and look forward to everyone joining us.”
Bland said the theme for this year focuses on addressing gun violence and highlighting organizations that strive to build a better future.
The event runs from 1 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, June 15th at Festival Park in Portsmouth.
WAVY’s KaMaria Braye and Kiahnna Patterson will be at the event to greet people and sign autographs.
Continue to check WAVY.com for updates.
