ST. LOUIS — Throughout the day, the bi-state has been buzzing with Juneteenth celebrations.
Wednesday night, a lively street festival took over over Washington Avenue in downtown St. Louis. There’s a deeper meaning behind the celebration.
The 5th annual House of Soul Juneteenth Festival on Washington Avenue downtown brought out huge crowds all day long.
"We've literally shut down the street,” said Elizabeth Donielle with the festival’s public relations team.
Making way for fun, food, and fellowship.
"It's cool to see all these people get together and the food is great too,” 17-year-old Lucas Starks said.
Aira Durham is among the Black business owners invited to showcase their products. She’s also enjoying the moment.
"We’re continuously making these steps, striving for equality, celebrating one another,” the 23-year-old entrepreneur said.
Mayor Tishaura Jones also stopped by to issue a proclamation. Juneteenth recognizes June 19th, 1865, the day in Galveston Texas when all slaves learned they were free.
"We need to acknowledge that it occurred and bring lessons to it so it does not and will not
happen in the contemporary form,” said Dr. Richard Marks, Assistant Vice President for Diversity and Innovative Engagement at Saint Louis University.
He wants Juneteenth to be a day of celebration, but also of reflection and remembrance.
"If it wasn't for those innovators and for those inventors who were able to do things that can progress the country forward, we wouldn't have these things today," he said.
It's why people of all backgrounds and ages assembled in once place on a federal holiday rooted in the hope of what's possible when we unite.
"Everybody's connected. It's like one big community,” 17-year-old Jack Wienstroer said.
Marks said while these celebrations should continue, so should community engagement on eliminating economic and healthcare disparities and police brutality.