In Memphis, the Juneteenth celebration is set to take place at Health Sciences Park this weekend. The event will begin on Friday at 10 a.m. and run all day and night until Saturday. The move to this park was made in an effort to attract a more diverse crowd and increase attendance.
The festival will feature local vendors, food trucks, and health and wellness vendors, providing visitors with a range of options to enjoy during the event. It is an excellent opportunity for people to come together to commemorate the day that marked the end of slavery, which took place on June 19, 1865.
Juneteenth has been celebrated in Memphis for decades, but since President Biden declared it a Federal Holiday in 2021, the celebrations have grown significantly. The event honors the day when Union soldiers reached Galveston, Texas, announcing the freedom of all enslaved people.
Telisa Franklin took over leadership of the event and moved it from Historic Douglas Park to Health Sciences Park in Memphis’ Medical District downtown. This park has its own historical significance as it was previously named after Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest, a slave owner and Ku Klux Klan leader. However, the removal of Forrest’s statue from the park emphasizes its connection to the freedom movement.
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