Juneteenth festivities kick off in St. Joseph

By Ashley Luthans

Juneteenth celebrations began Friday at the Bartlett Center in St. Joseph.

From 3 p.m. to 9 p.m., the center hosted a vendor fair, bounce houses and entertainment. At 7 p.m., locally-based band Doc’s 100 Proof performed at the event.

The event was free, encouraging the St. Joseph community to have a good time and celebrate Juneteenth.

Ivana Calhoun was a vendor at the event and shared why she thinks it’s important to celebrate the holiday.

“I think it’s important that the date is made well-known,” Calhoun said. “There’s two dates for our freedom and so this is an important celebration concerning that.”

This event was sponsored by St. Joseph Museums. Several more events are coming up to celebrate Juneteenth this year, including a parade, performers, a fashion show and more.

More information about this year’s festivities can be found at stjosephmuseum.org/juneteenth.