Juneteenth festival celebrates African American heritage

(COLORADO SPRINGS) — The Southern Colorado Juneteenth Festival has returned to Colorado Springs, and it’s taking place all weekend in America the Beautiful Park. Last year more than thirty thousand people attended the event, and this year more are expected to attend.

Juneteenth is the national holiday celebrating the day enslaved people in south Texas learned of their freedom and 2024 is Colorado Springs’ fourth annual festival.

“It’s for everybody’s freedom. It’s just not one person. It’s more than one. It’s everybody,” says Jennifer Smith, the Director and Co-founder of the Colorado Springs Juneteenth festival.

Organizers say the festival commemorates the day in 1865 when enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, learned of their freedom, more than two years after Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation.

“If we didn’t celebrate Juneteenth, then I believe many people would have got mad because that is their culture, their freedom, the culture of why many people had died in the Civil War, and why they had to make sacrifices so that we could win, and we have our freedom,” says Jassetta Franzierq, one of the performers at Saturday’s event.

The festival also highlights African American heritage and contributions to society.

“Throughout time we are starting to lose our sense of community, and we have to remember that we are all in this together. We’re going to be here for each other. We’re going to make sure that we’re okay,” added Patience Dixon, a member of Women of Impact.

The event brings food trucks and vendors selling clothing, jewelry, hats, and more, along with a variety of guest speakers also offering resources to the community.

“I would definitely say the vibe is very family-barbecue orientated. Like, you know, you’re coming out to a family function, and you’re seeing everybody you haven’t seen in a long time, and smelling new smells, and trying new foods,” added Dixon.

In addition to the good food and good company, a local dance team entertained the community, while the winner of the 2024 Miss Juneteenth Pageant was announced.

“My favorite part about being here today is dancing with my team,” said Franzierq.

Jassetta Franzierq was one of this year’s pageant winners and says she is proud to represent her community and learn more about the holiday’s history.

“It’s my favorite time of year, because I get to meet many people, get to talk to a lot of people. I get to kind of work myself out,” added Franzierq.

To learn more about the holiday and what events to expect on the last day, Sunday, June 16, go to https://www.csjuneteenthfestival.com, or click the link above.

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