ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – Celebrations took place all across Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia this weekend ahead of Juneteenth, a holiday that commemorates the emancipation of those who were enslaved in the United States.
This is the third year Juneteenth has been recognized as a federal holiday since President Biden signed it into law in 2021.
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One of the celebrations took place in St. Augustine, in the Lincolnville neighborhood, where attendees enjoyed a variety of music, dance and cultural performances to celebrate the rich heritage of the Lincolnville community.
News4JAX spoke to St. Augustine Juneteenth Celebration Marketing Director Eldre Allen “El Draco” who said they wanted to focus on the city’s history for this celebration.
“Just right around the corner, we have Ms. Tyson who hosted Martin Luther King. So there’s so much history our kids are walking by so if we don’t take the time to really show that we’re walking history as well then will leave it up to everybody else and that’s not what we’re here to do,” Allen said.
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Founded in 1866 by former slaves, the Lincolnville Historic District is St. Augustine’s most prominent historically Black neighborhood.
“St. Augustine has a reputation to be a lot of different things. Even as we were prepping someone was like ‘I can’t find anybody who lives here’ and it’s like we’re here, we’re here to stay. We have an amazing community here in Lincolnville,” Allen said.
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In Jacksonville, hundreds of people also celebrated Juneteenth at the Melanin Market.
People were seen dancing to the live music, shopping at the many vendors, and grabbing a bite to eat.
At the event, 15 small businesses also received $1,000 microgrants to support their operations, according to a release. That includes the first five recipients from the Melanin Market’s new partnership with the Community First Cares Foundation, which has committed $20,000 in microgrants this year.
Juneteenth is celebrated annually on June 19.