Even because it hailed down final yr, 30,000 individuals got here collectively to rejoice the Southern Colorado Juneteenth Pageant.
This yr’s competition, organized by OneBodyEnt, is about to kick off Friday and proceed by way of the weekend at America the Stunning Park — with significantly better climate anticipated.
The free, three-day competition could have almost 80 distributors, performers, meals vans, a automotive present, a Jamaican cook-off and loads of kid-friendly actions.
“There’s not a boring second,” mentioned Jennifer Smith, co-founder of OneBodyEnt. “It’s for everyone.’
Juneteenth celebrates the emancipation of enslaved African People within the U.S.
The federal vacation acknowledges the day, June 19, that information of freedom reached Galveston, Texas — greater than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation.
Whitley Hadley tries on a gown on the Southern Colorado Juneteenth Pageant on June 17, 2023. The tent provided superbly coloured pants, shirts and clothes and jewellery for buy.
On that day in 1965, Union Gen. Gordon Granger learn aloud Basic Order No. 3, letting all know that enslaved individuals in Texas have been free.
Smith and her husband based the competition 4 years in the past, seeing that there weren’t massive Juneteenth celebrations across the Pikes Peak area.
Now, the competition has turn into among the many 10 largest Juneteenth celebrations within the nation, she mentioned.
“The numbers present — we had 30,000 individuals coming in that climate that we received final yr, huddling up on the pavilion and nonetheless attempting to return out,” she mentioned.
“We had 12,000 individuals at one time, in a single hour on Sunday final yr, and the Downtown Partnership mentioned that was the second largest occasion in a decade.”
Friday night, comedians Joe Torry, Darius Bradford, B-Phlat and Brian Sullivan are set to carry out on the Predominant Stage.
Attendees of the Southern Colorado Juneteenth Pageant share umbrellas at America the Stunning Park in Colorado Springs, Co., on Saturday, June 17, 2023.
On Saturday, Jacquees & Associates will carry out at 5 p.m., adopted by a literacy nook and native musician showcase. Headlining the competition Sunday: Tony Exum Jr., H-City, E. De La and Renee Neufville.
All through the ultimate day of the competition, there may even be an Emancipation Ceremony and Gospel within the Park.
Off-stage, the fest will host a pet well being clinic working Friday afternoon, in addition to a number of instructional pop-ups. There will likely be loads of child actions as nicely, together with a petting zoo.
Seeing the group rejoice Juneteenth is the perfect a part of organizing the competition, Smith mentioned, and he or she encourages everybody to hitch within the festivities.
“It’s rewarding,” she mentioned. “To have the help of town, to have the help of the group, is crucial factor. They help you. They’ll do the work, and so they’ll volunteer to indicate up.”