Houston’s Juneteenth Culture Fest brings art, music and unity to Avenida

HOUSTON — On Saturday, the first day of the Juneteenth Culture Fest at Avenida, kicked off with dozens of people in attendance.

The event celebrating Juneteenth as the end of slavery featured a pop-up market with arts, food, music and it’s a chance for small business owners to interact with the crowds.

A business owner said the big Juneteenth celebration provides them a boost. The thriving atmosphere also boosts the people attending the free event.

“When we’re celebrating freedom and we’re celebrating culture and we’re celebrating Houstonians, this brings all of that together in a way that’s so beautiful,” Zion Escobar said.

Escobar said it’s gratifying to see other small businesses at Avenida Plaza get an opportunity to showcase themselves.

“We are predominantly online and our business is basically a year old, so it’s actually good to be here in person,” Khadijah Eniafe said.

She co-owns Bakonery, a store that sells clothing and accessories. She is one of more than 100 small businesses setting up shop this weekend.

Eniafe is mindful of Juneteenth, celebrating the end of slavery in 1865 and its significance in the present.

“I think it’s really important to celebrate Juneteenth and especially with what’s going on in the world right now we just need to showcase a lot of our heritage, a lot of our culture as a celebration, something positive to share with people,” Eniafe said.

That positivity is rubbing off on others like Escobar.

“It’s a different perspective on what it means to be an entrepreneur and seeing people out here, committing to sharing culture, sharing crafts, sharing commerce, you know so today feels different, I’m inspired,” Escobar said.

The event being hosted by the Houston First Corporation will resume on Sunday, June 15, from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.