Lexington Lyric Theatre holds Juneteenth celebration

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – Juneteenth is a federal holiday that celebrates the emancipation of slaves in the United States.

Celebrations happened throughout the day all across the Commonwealth.

The Lyric Theatre and Cultural Arts Center held a five-hour-long event for the public to mark the occasion.

Vendors packed the theatre’s community room to sell jewelry, clothing and other goods.

“I got my start from my mother, who passed away, and I am touched by an angel because she definitely is an angel. And everything you see behind me was handcrafted by myself,” said Anitra Hunter, an artist based out of Louisville. “I do actually wear my stuff. If I make it, I’m going to wear it and show it off a little bit.”

For many, Juneteenth is a day spent on reflection.

“I am grateful for freedom,” said Janet Coleman, a Paparazzi consultant and vendor. “I’m grateful for this day because we might not have even had an opportunity to do this and so I am truly grateful for the opportunity to come out here and celebrate this day.”

There were not just vendors at the event; there were also resources provided to prioritize health and safety.

“We’re trying to reach this community so they can have health and wellness just like everyone else in our city,” said Angel Watkins, outreach and mobile clinic manager with Bluegrass Community Health Center. “It seems like we really don’t tend to go to the doctors because there’s a lack of trust. We’re trying to build that trust back up, and tell people that their health is really that important.”

As the sun set on another Juneteenth, celebrations took place alongside learning. The theme of the Lyric Theatre’s celebration, in particular, was to remember the past, mark the present and look toward the future.