Juneteenth Celebrated in Durham for 16th Annual Festival

DURHAM NC – It marked the 16th annual Juneteenth festival celebrated in Durham, North Carolina on Saturday, June 19th, and was the first festival that has occurred since it became a national holiday. Due to the pandemic in 2020, it was unfortunately canceled. This year, everyone had the opportunity to come together as one with more normalcy and appreciate and celebrate African American culture. 

“I feel like I am back home” said Phyllis Coley, C.E.O. and chief editor of Spectuacluar magazine, when asked about having the Juneteenth festival back.

“It is almost like a homecoming. I mean to come back after missing last year and see the people that you have not seen in two years. It is like a homecoming. There are people and vendors who have come here every year for the last 15 to 16 years, and it is great to see all their faces again. Also, the fact that the rest of the country is now celebrating it as a holiday and the 19th fell on the third Saturday of June makes me believe it was all meant to be.”

There was an unlimited amount of entertainment, vendors, and food throughout the day, with around 50 different local vendors and nine local food trucks. In terms of entertainment, 18 various artists and acts got on stage to perform throughout the day. Comedian D’Wissh hosted the show along with DJ Fatz and DJ Kool, who provided the music that got everyone dancing and up on their feet. 

Performances: Andre Tyson, Chosen by Christ Ministries, Epic Cheer, NC Dugout Dance Co, The Way, Lil@h, Carolina Waves Presents, Nun After Hours, Lil Cayenne’s, Tesh, I am, L’Vitto, Fashion Show (FSmith Productions), Father/Son Batte of the D.J.’s (DJ Kraze vs DJ Showout), Family Circle, JooseLord, Tha Mats, DJ Kool, and Block Party powered by DJ Fatz 

Vendors: Back On The Bull, Durham Chapter A., You can Vote, Western Governors University, Oni’s Reading Rainbow, NC Asian Americans Together, Bull City Laughs, Bull City Imported Oils by Abdullah, Earth Essentials, Dr. Richard Watkins for U.S. Senate, Durham Democratic Women & The Durham County Democrats, F.A.D.S., Muhammad Mosque No. 34, D.C.A.B.P., Inc., Durham County Sheriff’s Office, Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, Pampered Chef, North Carolina, Central University Facilities Operations, Families & Communties Rising, Inc., Durham Symphony Orchestra, Durham’s Partnership for Children, Aya Holistic Bodywork, Go Durham, Twice is Nice Mobile Thrift Shop, Tinkabow, Jayne Doe Fashion Boutique L.L.C., Durham Fire Department, African Beauty Jewelry and Artifacts, Credit is King Kareem, NC A Phillip Randolph, Pin Therapy, L.L.C., Blackstock60, BeautifullyUrbane L.L.C., Empowered Minds Academy, Durham Committee on the Affairs of Black People, Plant A Seed Mission Min, The Universtiy Closet L.L.C., DOPEHEADZ, LensGrace Designs, Royal Fortune Customs L.L.C., Finish’n Touch

Food Trucks: Oak City Fish and Chips, B.B.’s Tropical Treats, Hot Diggity Dog, Mighty Frozen, Nikki’s Delightful Treats, New B.B.Q., 716ersfood, Elite Carting and Food Services

It was a jam-packed day and night of celebration and happiness as the city of Durham experienced the first Juneteenth as a national holiday. It has always been a time of togetherness for Durham but everything that has occurred over the last year made us realize the beauty of this day.

All it did was bring a smile to Ms. Coley’s face. “Seeing the people” Coley said was her favorite part of Juneteenth.

“It is hard to pick one but just seeing the faces of the people and get to witness them enjoying themselves. But also making everyone understand what this day is really about. Being able to see it all happening just makes me happy.”

It was extra special that the festival fell on June 19th as it is on the third Saturday of June each year. You could feel the passion in the streets of Durham. It was another successful Juneteenth, and the 2022 festival is expected to be held on Saturday, June 18th.