NC Juneteenth Celebration 2021: Much More Than A Street Fair!
Durham, NC – Spectacular Magazine will present the 16th Annual NC Juneteenth Celebration on Saturday, June 19th on E. Main Street in downtown Durham (For GPS Purposes: 330 E. Main Street – Durham, NC 27701). The festival is much more than just a street fair…it is a celebration of a U.S. holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. On Tuesday, June 15, 2021, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed a resolution establishing June 19 as Juneteenth National Independence Day. The 16th Annual NC Juneteenth Celebration will feature a ceremony, performances by national and local recording artists, food trucks, a kids zone, health fair, vendors, exhibitors, fashion show, and more!
Opening Ceremony
The NC Juneteenth Celebration will kick off with an Opening Ceremony at 1:00 pm, sponsored by Durham County Government. The community is invited to join in the processional, coordinated by African dancer and Spectacular Magazine Entertainment Reporter Britany Burch, that will include African drummers and dancers starting at the Durham County Department of Public Health (corner of Dillard and Main Streets), proceed down E. Main Street to the front of the stage located on the corner of Roxboro and E. Main Streets. Once there, the Ceremony will continue with the ritual of pouring libation, an essential ceremonial tradition in African cultures and a way of giving homage to the ancestors. The Ceremony also includes songs, a liturgical dance, proclamations, and spoken word.
Entertainment
Entertainment coming to the stage are both national recording artists and local performers. Hosted by Comedian D’Wissh, get ready to party with this year’s headliner hip-hop and go-go artist DJ Kool (“Let Me Clear My Throat”, “20 Minute Workout”). Tha Materials will rock with their neo-soul and hip-hop groove. Family Circle brings all your favorite old-school R&B tunes. Rapper JooseLord Magnus is known to be “controversially Black” with songs influenced more by political activists than musical artists. Father/Son Battle of the DJs will pit DJ Kraze against his son, DJ Showout. DJ Fatz will keep the party going all day long!
Some of the other performers this year include Tesh I Am, L’Vitto, Lil@h, The Way, and Nun After Hours. A segment presented by Carolina Waves’ own Mir.I.Am will include performances by NC-based artists discovered during her monthly Open Mic Nights. Spoken Word artist Andre Tyson, Epic Cheer and Dance, and Chosen By Christ Ministries round out the entertainment.
Marketplace and Kid’s Zone
Food will be in abundance at the 16th annual NC Juneteenth Celebration in addition to performances. The best Food Trucks in the area and beyond will offer a variety of food choices. Exhibitors will have information on activities (summer camp, day camp, after school, athletic teams, etc.), jobs, and services available in Durham and surrounding areas. Vendors will have an array of African and African-American clothing, art and artifacts, specialty items, crafts, and other items for sale in the Marketplace, sponsored by Go Triangle and Go Durham.
The Kids Zone, sponsored by St. Philip’s Episcopal Church and powered by Bull City Inflatables, has bounce houses, obstacle course, dry slide, face painting, crafts, and other fun, educational, activities and information.
Health Fair
The Health Fair, sponsored by Duke Health, Community Health Coalition, and Bridges Pointe Sickle Cell Foundation, includes blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, and body mass index (BMI) screenings. Medical professionals from the Durham Academy of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmacy, will be available for one-on-one consultations and to provide information. This year, as we strive to come out of the COVID-19 pandemic, a walk-in Vaccine Clinic, and coronavirus testing will be available, along with testing for sickle cell traits, a Red Cross Blood Drive, Be A Match bone marrow registry, organ and tissue donor registry, and more. Organizations will have booths to inform the men, women, youth, and families of services (mental health, substance abuse, etc.). Experts in their respective fields will provide information, activities, and demonstrations.
Fashion Show
The Juneteenth Fashion Show, powered by FSmith Productions, will feature African prints, business, casual, and evening wear both symbolic of the first Juneteenth celebration. Coordinators are Spectacular Magazine Lifestyle Reporter Gillian Shaw and Spectacular Magazine Fashion Reporter Alyssa Hefner. Model, entrepreneur, and Executive Director of FSmith Productions, Fatima Smith will serve as commentator. The Juneteenth Fashion Show is sponsored by Pacific Western Bank.
Sponsors
Sponsors of the 16th Annual NC Juneteenth Celebration are the City of Durham, Go Triangle, Go Durham, Duke Health, Bridges Pointe Sickle Cell Foundation, Community Health Coalition, Pacific Western Bank, Dominion Energy, Durham County Government, and Radio One Raleigh.
The 16th Annual NC Juneteenth Celebration will bring a multitude of organizations and citizens into the community together in an effort to foster connections that will empower and uplift the community. Follow Spectacular Magazine on all social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter). Spectacular Magazine Social Media Strategists Skylar Smith, Alexis Bailey, Kori Smith, and Rodney Hunter will have live updates…no need to have a #FOMO! #NCJuneteenth2021 #NCJC2021
For more information, visit www.spectacularmag.com/juneteenth