For the second straight year, what’s billed as the largest Juneteenth celebration in Washington was held at Tacoma’s Stewart Heights Park. Complete with live music, food vendors, a career fair and a play zone for the children.<\/p>\n
But the history behind Juneteenth is why so many people celebrate it. Juneteenth celebrates the day, June 19, 1865, when more than a quarter million slaves in south Texas learned the Civil War was over and they were free people. That day came two-and-a-half years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation.<\/p>\n
Looking back<\/strong>: Celebrating Juneteenth 2024 and reflecting on local Black history<\/a><\/p>\n “I celebrate Juneteenth because it is actually a long overdue and unnecessary celebration. In that, we should have been free in 1863 and it took two-and-a-half-years for all of us to be acknowledged as free,” celebrant Whitney Mason told KIRO Newsradio.<\/p>\n Event organizer, Jerome Davis noted economic freedom.<\/p>\n “They were free from slavery and then put into poverty. That isn’t freedom,” Davis said. “This event is about true freedom, which I believe is economic freedom.”<\/p>\n Vendors offered mouth-watering food and drinks. Along with ice cream, jewelry, clothing and art. They served the crowd and supported each other.<\/p>\n “Just giving back to my community, supporting other vendors, seeing other black businesses grow and just being part of the community, man,” vendor Charles Davis said.<\/p>\n The event is hosted by Metro Parks Tacoma and WayOut Kids and goes until 8 p.m. Wednesday.<\/p>\n More than 8,000 people attended the celebration in 2023. Even more are expected this year, before the day is done.<\/p>\n You can read more of James Lynch\u2019s stories\u00a0here<\/a>. Follow James on\u00a0X<\/a>, or\u00a0email him here<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n