SPRINGDALE, Ark. — Juneteenth festivities kicked off this weekend a little early in Northwest Arkansas and the River Valley.
For generations, Black Americans have celebrated Juneteenth with festivals, parties, cookouts, and more. However, it was not federally recognized as a holiday until 2021. Now, communities across the United States hold celebrations honoring Juneteenth as a federal holiday when many employees are given the day off.
Springdale hosted its fourth annual Freedom Fest celebration, but they've been having events for the day for 28 years.
Many organizations are involved, including the University of Arkansas and the NWA Juneteenth Planning Committee. They partnered with Music Moves, Community Cohesion Project, and Interform Fashion.
"We have had a celebration every year to celebrate the emancipation of the saved Africans during that time period," said J’onnelle Colbert-Diaz, chair for the NWA Juneteenth Planning Committee. "It's just really being able to give back to the community this way. It's immense."
The event is complete with food, music, vendors and community. Colbert-Diaz said it's a time of remembrance for herself.
"Remember all the things that we have persevered through," Colbert Diaz said. "Look where we are now, where we continue to go, and where our future trajectory goes, because there's just no limit to the things that we can do."
Fort Smith held a similar celebration. It was hosted by the city's Juneteenth Committee and the Fort Smith Round Table. Their two-day event had live music, vendors, food, and a DJ. It's the first time in a while they've had the event like this.
"There was a vibration of music. There was fellowship, people congregating together," said Cindy Palmer, a committee member. "It's like a big family reunion."
The day makes Palmer realize how different things are in June 2024 versus June 1865.
"The way the social media works nowadays and how quickly information is spread about. They actually found out that that amendment had been passed two years and six months earlier. It's a long time," Palmer said.
She now wants to spread information about the holiday to the public a little faster now.
"Believe it or not, there's still very many people that don't get to celebrate it, that don't get to have that day off as a national holiday," Palmer said. "A lot of people still don't understand or know what Juneteenth means, or what it means from the heart."
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