SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — While Juneteenth is officially on June 19, Sioux Falls had its celebration Saturday.
People gathered Saturday to celebrate Juneteenth. The event offered activities for people of all ages, with a children’s area, food truck, and henna tattoos.
“We have a lot of nonprofit and local businesses that are represented as vendors, and we have some amazing talent. Local and out-of-state talent that’s going to be represented here,” Juneteenth Board Member Delinkka Beaudion said.
While there are plenty of activities, the attendee’s favorite part of the event is other people.
“Just meeting new people, giving out compliments, seeing who came to come outside their shell today– just want some community. Just coming together, talking, chatting, grabbing a snack,” festival goer, Livia McFadden, said.
While it may have been a dreary day, festival goers didn’t the weather rain on their parade.
“And if the rain comes, we’re going to just look at that as a blessing and purifying the celebration. And we’re going to keep moving,” Beaudion said.
As the Juneteenth Festival becomes a new staple for the city of Sioux Falls.
“I’ve been here for 20 years now and I’ve seen it just change so much from when I came here to just becoming this vibrant, you know, just center of culture, you know, in this state. I just can’t say enough great things about it,” festival goer, Clinton Store, said.
Click here for more information on the Sioux Falls Juneteenth organization.
Check out was real simple, can't wait for the tote bag