For the past three years, two Brooklyn community-rooted organizations have come together to host a Juneteenth celebration like no other. This year, they are doing it yet again.
On Thursday, June 19, the fourth annual Juneteenth Food Festival takes place. A collaborative event co-hosted by the digital publication Black-owned Brooklyn and the Weeksville Heritage Center, the annual Juneteenth festival will be held at the historic Weeksville site, the location of one of the largest free Black communities in the United States before the Civil War. The day will honor the Texas-born holiday with food, entertainment and music, done the Brooklyn way.
This year's lineup includes 29 local food vendors and artisans that span African American, Caribbean, Latin American and African foodways across the diaspora. Dine on fast-casual Nigerian eats from Bed Stuy's Brooklyn Suya, Ethiopian-Eritrean cuisine from Makina Cafe and jerked brisket and tacos from Jase's BBQ. Somethin' a little sweet comes in the form of goodies from Brooklyn Tea, Brownstone Cheesecakes and Hibiscus Brew. The day-long event includes Black food literature from BEM | Books & more, double-dutch performances from the Jazzy Jumpers and dance performances from the youth drumline and dance group, Brooklyn United. As for tunes, DJ Spinna will be headlining the festivities, providing the vibes all afternoon long.
The event starts at noon and goes until 8pm. Entry is free. Keep an eye on Black-Owned Brooklyn's Instagram for more announcements.