Pittsburgh’s annual celebration of Juneteenth is back downtown this weekend. It’s a dayslong recognition of the freedom of slaves, and also a big boost for Black-owned businesses in and around the city.“Juneteenth is not a Black holiday; it’s an American holiday,” said William Marshall, producer of the Western Pennsylvania Juneteenth Celebration. “With the way this country’s going right now, we want to make sure that we celebrate African American culture, history, and identity.”After Mellon Park hosted the festivities last year, Juneteenth is back downtown at Market Square, Liberty Avenue and Point State Park.“We’re excited to be back downtown,” Marshall said. “Last year, we had to go to Mellon Park because of the renovations that were going on here. Having this downtown, it’s a lot easier for people to come into the city, get a hotel room in the city, and walk around for the activities.”For decades, the city’s celebration of emancipation has attracted thousands of locals and visitors.“We are now the biggest (Juneteenth) celebration in Pennsylvania, and maybe one of the biggest in the country,” Marshall said. “Last year, they said we had over 75,000 people for the Juneteenth celebration.”With more than a hundred vendors and music acts taking over the city, attendees love the variety the weekend brings.“I love the bands. I came down here to see live music,” said Jodie Thompson, of Mount Washington. “We didn’t have all of this in the past. Now, you have the new setup and the stage. This means a lot. I’m proud to be down here at this moment to celebrate it.”“It’s very encouraging, especially for the young crowd,” said Frederick Phillips, of Carrick. “They need to see the culture. The young kids need to see something positive. With what’s going on these days, they need to see that you can do beautiful things.”The presence of those in attendance helps many Black-owned businesses that are set up downtown. “A lot of our businesses don’t have brick and mortar,” Marshall said. “They rely on vending and selling their products that way. It’s crucial that people come down and help with their local businesses. Especially with the state of the economy that we’re in.”Dennis Hawkins Jr. has seen his small business, Best Fish Flavors, and others grow with the festival. “My business has grown over the years,” Hawkins said. “I purchased a food truck, so next year, we’ll be here in the food truck. You see people start small, and then they come back and sell more things. I think it’s great for everyone.”Kayla Portis is the mayor of Sharpsburg. However, she loves setting up shop for this weekend on Liberty Avenue.“It’s really nice to meet different people,” she said. “People are from all walks of life and places. It’s so fun and great to celebrate something so important.”Whether people come for the music, wardrobes or food, it all comes together for the same purpose. “Every American should be out here celebrating Juneteenth the same way that we’ll be celebrating the Fourth of July in a few weeks,” Marshall said. “If you want to come down, shop with those vendors, and enjoy the celebration. Juneteenth is here, it’s alive, and we’re just happy and excited to be here another year.”The parade downtown starts Saturday at 11 a.m. For a full list of Juneteenth events this weekend, click here.
PITTSBURGH —
Pittsburgh’s annual celebration of Juneteenth is back downtown this weekend. It’s a dayslong recognition of the freedom of slaves, and also a big boost for Black-owned businesses in and around the city.
“Juneteenth is not a Black holiday; it’s an American holiday,” said William Marshall, producer of the Western Pennsylvania Juneteenth Celebration. “With the way this country’s going right now, we want to make sure that we celebrate African American culture, history, and identity.”
After Mellon Park hosted the festivities last year, Juneteenth is back downtown at Market Square, Liberty Avenue and Point State Park.
“We’re excited to be back downtown,” Marshall said. “Last year, we had to go to Mellon Park because of the renovations that were going on here. Having this downtown, it’s a lot easier for people to come into the city, get a hotel room in the city, and walk around for the activities.”
For decades, the city’s celebration of emancipation has attracted thousands of locals and visitors.
“We are now the biggest (Juneteenth) celebration in Pennsylvania, and maybe one of the biggest in the country,” Marshall said. “Last year, they said we had over 75,000 people for the Juneteenth celebration.”
With more than a hundred vendors and music acts taking over the city, attendees love the variety the weekend brings.
“I love the bands. I came down here to see live music,” said Jodie Thompson, of Mount Washington. “We didn’t have all of this in the past. Now, you have the new setup and the stage. This means a lot. I’m proud to be down here at this moment to celebrate it.”
“It’s very encouraging, especially for the young crowd,” said Frederick Phillips, of Carrick. “They need to see the culture. The young kids need to see something positive. With what’s going on these days, they need to see that you can do beautiful things.”
The presence of those in attendance helps many Black-owned businesses that are set up downtown.
“A lot of our businesses don’t have brick and mortar,” Marshall said. “They rely on vending and selling their products that way. It’s crucial that people come down and help with their local businesses. Especially with the state of the economy that we’re in.”
Dennis Hawkins Jr. has seen his small business, Best Fish Flavors, and others grow with the festival.
“My business has grown over the years,” Hawkins said. “I purchased a food truck, so next year, we’ll be here in the food truck. You see people start small, and then they come back and sell more things. I think it’s great for everyone.”
Kayla Portis is the mayor of Sharpsburg. However, she loves setting up shop for this weekend on Liberty Avenue.
“It’s really nice to meet different people,” she said. “People are from all walks of life and places. It’s so fun and great to celebrate something so important.”
Whether people come for the music, wardrobes or food, it all comes together for the same purpose.
“Every American should be out here celebrating Juneteenth the same way that we’ll be celebrating the Fourth of July in a few weeks,” Marshall said. “If you want to come down, shop with those vendors, and enjoy the celebration. Juneteenth is here, it’s alive, and we’re just happy and excited to be here another year.”
The parade downtown starts Saturday at 11 a.m. For a full list of Juneteenth events this weekend, click here.