MILLCREEK, Utah (ABC4) — On Sunday, the third annual Juneteenth Freedom Day Celebration was held at Millcreek Common to commemorate the upcoming holiday on Wednesday, June 19.

The event was scheduled to run from 6 p.m. until about 10 p.m. at Millcreek Common on Sunday, and promised “fun and educational programming” for those who attended the event.

LEARN MORE: What is Juneteenth and what does it celebrate?

“All are welcome in honoring history, heritage, and perseverance in a family-friendly and fun
atmosphere,” a press release for the event said.

The Juneteenth Freedom Day Celebration offered live performances, local art, food trucks, an area for kids, and even a fashion show. The third annual event was a partnership between the Millcreek Community Foundation, D.I.V.A., and UBLAC.

“Back when I was a kid, there was not many Juneteenth celebrations going on here,” event manager Mariam Dickerson told ABC4.com. “So, it’s really cool to see more people coming out, more people interested in celebrating and interested in educating their families.”

The theme for the 2024 event was “African American hair practices as a pro-social tool,” event organizers said.

What is Juneteenth?

Juneteenth is a holiday commemorating the last enslaved people in the United States learning of their freedom after the Civil War. The holiday, which occurs every year on June 19, only became a federal holiday in 2021 — but its roots date back to the 1860s.

The name “Juneteenth” combines the words “June” and “nineteenth,” but other names for the holiday include Juneteenth Independence Day, as well as Freedom Day, the Associated Press said.

On June 19, 1865, Union Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger went to Galveston, Texas, with his troops to announce that the Civil War had ended and enslaved people were free, according to the AP.

Juneteenth is the “oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States,” according to the National Juneteenth Observance Foundation.

“The celebration not only commemorates African American freedom throughout America, but Juneteenth also emphasizes education and achievement internationally,” the NJOF said.

The Associated Press has contributed to this story.

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