SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Juneteenth events kicked off all across the Upstate over the weekend including in Spartanburg.
Music, dancing, and the smell of food filled West Main Street on Saturday night.
“This is the City of Spartanburg’s third annual Juneteenth Festival and I say third annual because there will be many more throughout time,” Aundi Hunter with the City of Spartanburg explained.
Juneteenth commemorates the day the last enslaved people were notified of the end of the civil war and their emancipation. The City of Spartanburg celebrated the holiday with a three day festival.
“Today is day three of our Juneteenth celebration weekend right here in the City of Spartanburg and we have a lot of things planned for the festival. We have a food court, a market place, tons of awesome vendors, a kids zone and so much more for everyone to explore.”
One of those vendors is Mikki Goldson, she says this is the second year she’s participated in the festival.
“I was a vendor here last year to celebrate Juneteenth and I loved it so I decided to come back this year and celebrate with my community,” Goldson said she is the owner of local business Golden Touch Uniquely. “I make tumblers, shirts, pens, key chains, that kind of thing and I also offer custom printing.”
The City of Spartanburg says the event has been growing year after year, attracting new faces to the festival.
“So this is my first time here, I heard it was a great event so I wanted to come out and check it out and so far I am having a wonderful time, Francena McCorory an Olympic Gold Medalist told 7NEWS. “The food is always good, the vendors are great, as you can see I have some shaved ice here the band is wonderful, it’s amazing.”
Those we spoke with say the holiday touches the hearts of many in the community.
“Juneteenth is such a dear part, especially for my culture and the African American community. So, it’s important to highlight it for the community for the culture and overall just us getting together and celebrating freedom and also having a great time as well.”
If you missed Spartanburg’s festival you can find a full list of other Juneteenth celebrations across the Upstate here.
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