MEMPHIS — The 33rd Annual Memphis Juneteenth Festival took place on June 5 and June 6 at Medical District Park. It was the first of multiple events scheduled in June to observe the June 19 holiday.
Dr. Telisa Franklin founded and organized the Memphis Juneteenth Festival. Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when enslaved people in Texas learned of their freedom, more than two years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation.
Dozens of vendors sold African-inspired clothing, personal brands, and wellness products. Line-Tastic Memphiz performed line dances on the main stage. An outdoor museum exhibit displayed historical information about slavery, Emancipation, the Civil Rights Movement, and modern achievements.
Magistrate Judge Mitzi Pollard attended the festival. "What brought me here is my dear friend Telisa Franklin," Pollard said. "When I hear that she's hosting something, I've got to come check it out." Pollard said, "We've celebrated Juneteenth for a long time before it even became popular. I'm glad to see a lot more involvement and a lot more items that share the cultural aspects of Juneteenth."
Shelby County Circuit Court Judge Chris Frulla attended the festival. "My job is to represent the citizens all over Shelby County," Frulla said. "So, I try to touch as many hands as I can to let them know that the justice system cares about everybody." "It's about freedom," Frulla said. "It's about all the rights that folks fought for over the years, and it's about celebrating those freedoms and making sure they're preserved." "A lot of people forget about what happened in the past," Frulla said. "Talk to older people, read books, and understand how we got from where we were a long time ago to where we are today."
Score Health sponsored the festival and distributed handheld fans.