It may be four months away, but planning has already begun for Vallejo’s 35th annual Juneteenth Parade and Festival.
The festival — set for 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on June 21 at Barbara Kondylis Waterfront Green — will feature a parade through downtown Vallejo. The event, which commemorates freedom for the remaining enslaved people of African heritage in Texas two and half years after the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863, is sponsored this year by the African-American Family Reunion Committee.
Juneteenth, observed around the world, is known as the oldest commemoration of the historic era. President Biden proclaimed June 19, 2021, as Juneteenth Day of Observance. Organizers of the Vallejo event say they saw a 10 percent increase in visitors over last year’s attendance.
“We expect to continue that growth for our 35th year as one of Vallejo’s most popular celebrations,” said Juneteenth president Don Jordan. “We’re expanding outreach to retain our most consistent vendors and exhibitors and to attract new participants for this milestone celebration.”
The Vallejo festival attracts as many as 1,600 visitors to enjoy vendors selling merchandise and food, exhibitors, live entertainment, and activities for children. Vallejo’s Juneteenth has an emphasis on community health and wellness, financial planning, homeownership, educational opportunities, job training and employment, small business development, and many other programs and services.
Last year the festival grew even more in Vallejo as a Juneteenth flag was raised for the first time ever at the Naval and Historical Museum.
“I’m very proud, if that’s the right word, but the museum absolutely honors this day and what it stands for,” Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum Executive Director Trevor Allen said in 2024. “We’re very inclusive of all the communities, but the fact that this one is specifically for the African-American community here at the museum, I’m over the moon. This is fantastic. Maria Stats and Dwight Monroe asked me a while back if this was possible and I was so happy to say yes.”
Jordan said that participants in the festival are mostly small business owners and nonprofits that need the exposure to reach new customers and clients.
“Juneteenth provides a great opportunity for entrepreneurs and local program resource providers to connect with the groups they serve,” he said. “We’re keeping our fees the same as last year to make participation as affordable as possible.”
Organizers are seeking merchandise and food vendors and exhibitors to table at the event. Corporate, business, nonprofit and community sponsors are also being sought at Premiere, Gold, Bronze and Silver levels.
The online application and more information are available at vallejojuneteenth.com. Questions can be directed to aafrc@vallejojuneteenth.com. Anyone interested in being a parade entrant can apply online at vallejojuneteenth.com. The deadline to submit applications is May 15.
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