For the last 150 years, Juneteenth is a holiday that has celebrated the freedom, resilience, and strength of the Black community. On June 19th, 1865, the enslaved community in Galveston, Texas were made aware of the signing of Emancipation Proclamation and the end of the Civil War, despite these events happening more than two years earlier on January 1, 1863. Since then, Juneteenth (a mixture of the words “June” and “19th”) has come to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States.

Now, Black families and communities across the country celebrate Juneteenth through festivals, parades, gatherings, and picnics. This sacred day celebrates freedom, but it also shines a light on the work that we have left to do in order to create a truly equitable and prosperous future for all Americans.

Central to the celebration of Juneteenth is the enjoyment of food – specifically red foods – as a form of bringing communities together. The emphasis on red food is symbolic of the bloodshed and enduring strength of the enslaved.

Some communities enjoy a traditional menu of “Hot Links and Red Drinks”. Hot links are often made of ground beef and dyed red. Others serve more traditional Southern foods like fried chicken, collard greens, and cornbread. For dessert, watermelon, red velvet cake, and strawberry pie are popular choices.

In addition to red foods, barbecues are one of trademark ways to celebrate the day. According to Juneteenth.com, Through barbeques, “participants could share in the spirit and aromas that their ancestors—the newly emancipated African Americans, would have experienced during their ceremonies.” Juneteenth.com provides a national listing of Juneteenth news and celebrations across the world.

If you are looking to celebrate in Wilmington, there are several events that are being planned this year. At Northside Food Coop, a desire to create a more equitable future for our community is at the forefront of all that we do, and we are honored to be partnering with local organizations to commemorate Juneteenth. We hope you’ll join us in celebrating this important day with our community.

2021 Juneteenth Celebration:

Portia Hines Park, 400 N. 10th St.

June 19th, 12-6 pm

Food | Field Day | Community Celebration

In partnership with Vigilant Hope, P.U.S.H., and VOYAGE