Madison’s 20th Annual Juneteenth Day Celebration
Celebration is synonymous with Juneteenth
Celebration is synonymous with Juneteenth
Jessica Strong enjoying the ambience of
Madison’s Juneteenth Day celebration in
Penn Park.
Madison’s Juneteenth Day celebration in
Penn Park.
By Jessica Strong
There’s the music, dance and spoken word and the sweet and familiar aroma of southern foods and
vendors showcasing colorful Kente cloths and handcrafted jewelry that remind us of that fateful day in 1865
when the last slaves in Galveston, Texas learned of their freedom.
This year was the 20th annual Juneteenth Day Celebration at Penn Park where everyone from village
leaders to first-time visitors came to enjoy themselves and commemorate the historic event. Throughout
the day, I walked around the park and asked community members what Juneteenth means to them.
Rebecca Goberman, local pharmacist
“I grew up on the Southside and this has been my 10th year attending Juneteenth. This is a great
family and community event. I’ve enjoyed walking around seeing people that I grew up with whom I haven’t
seen in years.”
Reggie Mims, business entrepreneur
“Juneteenth helps me to get in touch with previous customers. It’s a day of celebration...and [allows
for] a regrouping of black people and we need this. My favorite thing to do is watch the concerts and enjoy
the food of course!”
There’s the music, dance and spoken word and the sweet and familiar aroma of southern foods and
vendors showcasing colorful Kente cloths and handcrafted jewelry that remind us of that fateful day in 1865
when the last slaves in Galveston, Texas learned of their freedom.
This year was the 20th annual Juneteenth Day Celebration at Penn Park where everyone from village
leaders to first-time visitors came to enjoy themselves and commemorate the historic event. Throughout
the day, I walked around the park and asked community members what Juneteenth means to them.
Rebecca Goberman, local pharmacist
“I grew up on the Southside and this has been my 10th year attending Juneteenth. This is a great
family and community event. I’ve enjoyed walking around seeing people that I grew up with whom I haven’t
seen in years.”
Reggie Mims, business entrepreneur
“Juneteenth helps me to get in touch with previous customers. It’s a day of celebration...and [allows
for] a regrouping of black people and we need this. My favorite thing to do is watch the concerts and enjoy
the food of course!”
Brigit McNeal, first time attending Madison’s Juneteenth celebration
“Juneteenth is a great opportunity for people of all races to get together and celebrate the day when the last slaves found out they were no longer in
bondage. I’m planning to go to all of the vendors and purchase goods.”
Alan Banks, lifelong villager
“Learning about our heritage is important; I’m excited to listen to the music!”
Robert Jackson, USDA Farm Loan Officer
“Juneteenth is a day of freedom, a day not to be enclosed by perceptions of other people. It reminds me of the East Coast where things like this
happen all the time. My favorite thing to do here is walk around and look at the different booths and meet new people.”
Latina Frazier aka “Midi,” Juneteenth performer and independent rapper on the independent Sugar Sandwich label
“This is my first time [here] and it was the biggest turnout I’ve had. “It’s about our struggles and [having] a place to talk about issues while we’ve got
Black people together!”
Isadore Knox, one of the founders of Madison’s Juneteenth celebration
“I’m glad that it came back to Penn Park, it brings people from other neighborhoods to celebrate an important event. It’s also a time where you get to
see people you haven’t seen in a while because African Americans are spread out all over the city of Madison.”
“Juneteenth is a great opportunity for people of all races to get together and celebrate the day when the last slaves found out they were no longer in
bondage. I’m planning to go to all of the vendors and purchase goods.”
Alan Banks, lifelong villager
“Learning about our heritage is important; I’m excited to listen to the music!”
Robert Jackson, USDA Farm Loan Officer
“Juneteenth is a day of freedom, a day not to be enclosed by perceptions of other people. It reminds me of the East Coast where things like this
happen all the time. My favorite thing to do here is walk around and look at the different booths and meet new people.”
Latina Frazier aka “Midi,” Juneteenth performer and independent rapper on the independent Sugar Sandwich label
“This is my first time [here] and it was the biggest turnout I’ve had. “It’s about our struggles and [having] a place to talk about issues while we’ve got
Black people together!”
Isadore Knox, one of the founders of Madison’s Juneteenth celebration
“I’m glad that it came back to Penn Park, it brings people from other neighborhoods to celebrate an important event. It’s also a time where you get to
see people you haven’t seen in a while because African Americans are spread out all over the city of Madison.”