Three years after Juneteenth became an official national holiday, Jimi Hendrix Park was filled with thousands of people celebrating with friends and family last Wednesday, June 19. The annual celebration of Black freedom was hosted by King County Equity Now (KCEN) and Africatown Community Land Trust (ACLT) as part of ACLT's Summer of Soul events and featured over a hundred vendors selling everything from arts and crafts, clothes, jewelry, and, of course, a variety of delicious food. There were also performances by more than a dozen local artists.
On what turned out to be a perfect June day, people wandered through the park checking out the vendors, eating the delicious food, listening to music, and enjoying the performances. There were numerous activities for children and adults, including bounce houses, an art station, and horseback riding courtesy of the Buffalo Soldiers. Nearby, the Northwest African American Museum was having its own Juneteenth roller-skating party.
The celebration lasted all day, ending with a performance by local artist J. Holiday.
Susan Fried is a 40-year veteran photographer. Her early career included weddings, portraits, and commercial work — plus, she's been The Skanner News' Seattle photographer for 25 years. Her images have appeared in the University of Washington's The Daily, The Seattle Globalist, Crosscut, and many more.She's been an Emerald contributor since 2015. Follow her on Instagram @fried.susan.
📸 Featured Image: Kutt'N'Up finishes a powerful dance number before an enthusiastic crowd during the annual Juneteenth Freedom Fest at Jimi Hendrix Park, June 19, 2024. (Photo: Susan Fried)
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