After Summerfest announced its 2025 dates and a new partnership this week, social media lit up with misinformation.Summerfest is teaming up with Northcott Neighborhood House next year, the organizers behind Milwaukee’s decades-long Juneteenth Parade and Festival. 12 News went straight to the source to clear up any confusion.”We have been getting a lot of calls, and really we’re glad about the buzz, but we do want to make sure everybody knows King Drive is the heart of the Juneteenth Festival,” said Vanessa Johnson, Northcott Neighborhood House’s Director of Development.Opening Day for Summerfest 2025 falls on June 19th, the same day as the parade and festival. Juneteenth is a federal holiday, recognizing the day in 1865 when enslaved people in Texas learned of their freedom.”We’re working with Summerfest to make our partnership something, because it falls on June 19th, to make sure their festival commemorates Juneteenth,” Johnson explained.Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson is thrilled about the collaboration.”This is a wonderful opportunity for us to continue to tell the story about Juneteenth,” he said.The parade and festival are still during the day, then the celebration continues at Summerfest at night.”People who don’t get a chance to come to the festival will be able to get some of the same part of Juneteenth, down at Summerfest Grounds,” Johnson said.The community can still expect the decades-long tradition in the heart of Harambee.”Expanding to other arenas will not change the effect of what we do on King Drive for our Juneteenth festival,” Johnson said.The partnership is still in the early stages, and Northcott Neighborhood House is seeking input from the community. If you have suggestions, you can call them at 414-372-3770.
After Summerfest announced its 2025 dates and a new partnership this week, social media lit up with misinformation.
Summerfest is teaming up with Northcott Neighborhood House next year, the organizers behind Milwaukee’s decades-long Juneteenth Parade and Festival.
Advertisement
12 News went straight to the source to clear up any confusion.
“We have been getting a lot of calls, and really we’re glad about the buzz, but we do want to make sure everybody knows King Drive is the heart of the Juneteenth Festival,” said Vanessa Johnson, Northcott Neighborhood House’s Director of Development.
Opening Day for Summerfest 2025 falls on June 19th, the same day as the parade and festival. Juneteenth is a federal holiday, recognizing the day in 1865 when enslaved people in Texas learned of their freedom.
“We’re working with Summerfest to make our partnership something, because it falls on June 19th, to make sure their festival commemorates Juneteenth,” Johnson explained.
Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson is thrilled about the collaboration.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for us to continue to tell the story about Juneteenth,” he said.
The parade and festival are still during the day, then the celebration continues at Summerfest at night.
“People who don’t get a chance to come to the festival will be able to get some of the same part of Juneteenth, down at Summerfest Grounds,” Johnson said.
The community can still expect the decades-long tradition in the heart of Harambee.
“Expanding to other arenas will not change the effect of what we do on King Drive for our Juneteenth festival,” Johnson said.
The partnership is still in the early stages, and Northcott Neighborhood House is seeking input from the community. If you have suggestions, you can call them at 414-372-3770.
