Bo Diddley Plaza was brought to life on Juneteenth with bubbles and hula hoops strewn across the lawn. People young and old lined the brick walls, eyes glued to the performances on the center stage to celebrate Black history.
Juneteenth, celebrated annually on June 19, commemorates the day in 1865 that Union soldiers made it to Galveston, Texas, with news of the end of the Civil War and the emancipation of all remaining enslaved people.
The program consisted of choral performances, local musicians and youth games, including a hula hoop competition. The Florida Museum and Cade Museum, among other community organizations, hosted interactive booths for students.
Shy Bruno, a Gainesville resident, said events like the Jubilee spread awareness of what Juneteenth stands for.
“Black American history is very important to know, and a lot of people feel like it has been erased,” she said. “It's important for people to know so we can keep telling our future generations that we understand where we came from and how important it is to move forward and keep building our community.”
Zeriah Folston, the City of Gainesville Office of Equity and Inclusion director, said planning stages for the event’s fourth year began in December 2023.
“It allows us to understand that not only are we celebrating African Americans being freed from slavery, but we're also celebrating the fact that when you came here today … you saw people from different socioeconomic backgrounds and statuses,” he said. “It takes a multitude of people, different diverse backgrounds, to get us to where we’re at. It’s because of our diversity that we are Gainesville.”
Engaging the community is important in a state that doesn’t consistently honor Juneteenth in every city, Folston said.
He aims to make the Jubilee even larger next year, he said.
Over 300 children danced in front of the stage, slurping down free snow cones provided by the City of Gainesville while representatives handed out 500 free “Journey to Juneteenth” t-shirts.
Tina Folston-Hayes, owner of Sweet Smiles Custom Designs, said Juneteenth is an essential recognition to her family.
“Juneteenth is so important to me because I am able to be free,” she said. “My children are able to have so many opportunities that they wouldn't have had if it was not for Juneteenth being possible.”
Alachua County resident Nasseeka Denis said the Jubilee helped preserve history.
“It's an opportunity for us to come together and celebrate the freedom that our ancestors have been given,” she said. “If we can continue to have programs like these, it's an opportunity not only to come together but allow education for our students and their families.”
The Jubilee marks the final event in Alachua County’s Journey to Juneteenth celebration that began May 20 for Florida Emancipation Day and ran through June 19.
Contact Morgan Vanderlaan at mvanderlaan@alligator.org. Follow her on X @morgvande.
Morgan Vanderlaan is a first-year Political Science and English major and the City and County Commission Reporter for The Alligator. When she’s not on the clock, she can be found watching, writing and reciting theatre!
