'We celebrate Juneteenth by supporting one another': Crowds cheer for downtown Indy parade

Among the dozens of happy children Saturday running up and down the grassy hill at the Indiana War Memorial, the parents who watched nearby from their picnic blankets or in lawn chairs along N. Pennsylvania Street, was Jheri Brooks — seated peacefully in the shade, eagerly awaiting the city's Juneteenth festivities to begin.

"It's a beautiful day for a parade," said Brooks, 68, of Indianapolis. "I like to see the participation and who's in it every year."

More: Juneteenth around Indianapolis: Parades, festivals, concerts to celebrate the holiday

Juneteenth was recognized as a federal holiday in 2021 by President Joe Biden. It commemorates when news of the Emancipation Proclamation reached the enslaved people of Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865. The first Juneteenth was celebrated in Galveston in 1866 and the holiday has since become observed across the country.

"We celebrate Juneteenth by supporting one another, showing love, remembering the past, and being grateful for what we have," Brooks said.

By about 10:30 a.m., the parade was winding its way through downtown Indianapolis to the applause of hundreds of people. Spectators cheered as dancers spun and twirled their way down E. Vermont Street ahead of a fleet of muscle cars polished to a shine. Parade participants held bright banners wishing everyone a "Happy Juneteenth" and tossed candy to smiling children.

Standing along the sidewalk was Omar Ennols, 47, of Indianapolis, who said he was there to support his girlfriend in the parade. Like others, Ennols said he enjoyed seeing the community spirit of Juneteenth, particularly from its youngest revelers.

"I'm always excited for the kids," Ennols said. "I love to see good, positive energy from the children."

More Juneteenth events are planned throughout Indianapolis over the weekend. The following events happen Sunday through Monday.

Indy Juneteenth Festival and Parade

10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday. 610 W. New York St. indyjuneteenth.org. Free.

The sixth annual Indy Juneteenth Festival and Parade will take place Saturday at Military Park and feature a variety of Indianapolis performers and vendors. The parade kicks off at 10 a.m. and runs through downtown to Military Park, where the festival will begin at noon. Six Indy-area artists (Beonit, DJ Mary Jane, Dwani, Ground Zero, KOM. Band, Lorea and Terrance Anderson) will headline the festival, which will also include performances from local dance academies and theaters, more than 20 food trucks and more than 200 vendors.

Newfields Juneteenth Celebration

11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. 4000 Michigan Road. discovernewfields.org Free.

Newfields will offer free admission Sunday as part of its Juneteenth Celebration. The event will feature live music from local hip-hop trio Native Sun, galleries like “Work in Progress: Conversations About American Art” and hands-on art experiences.

Peace March and Community Celebration

9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday. 748 Massachusetts Ave. and 1702 Broadway St. indybfa.org. Free.

The Indianapolis Black Firefighters Association will march from its Union Hall to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park in a Peace March on Juneteenth. A celebration with food trucks, live music and more at the park will follow the march.

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Kurt Vonnegut Museum celebrates Juneteenth

11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, 543 Indiana Ave. vonnegutlibrary.org. Free.

As part of Indiana Avenue’s Juneteenth Block Party, the Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library will offer free admission on Juneteenth. Indiana University’s Jakobi Williams will deliver a talk on censorship and education, and the museum will unveil the second phase of its mural project, which now depicts the author, by Indianapolis artist Linda Adeniyi.

Fishers Juneteenth Jubilee

5-8 p.m. Monday. 13400 Allisonville Road. connerprairie.org. Free.

The Fishers Arts Council and Fisher High School’s Future Black Leaders Club will hold a Jubilee at Conner Prairie on Juneteenth. The event will feature local vendors and entertainment as well as a kids’ zone with a bounce house, face painting and hot air balloon rides with the purchase of tickets.

Indiana Landmarks Black Heritage Juneteenth Concert/Art Show

6-8 p.m. Monday. 1201 Central Ave. indianalandmarks.org

Indiana Landmarks’ Black Heritage Preservation Program will showcase the best of Indy’s art and music scenes in its combination art show and concert on Juneteenth. The event will take place at the Indiana Landmarks Center and feature performances and art from gospel group Men in the Fire, improv comedians Act A Foo, art collective We Are Indy Arts and more. General admission tickets are $25, while VIP tickets are $50 (with discounts on both for Indiana Landmarks Members). Tickets are available at bit.ly/42VXuhX.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indianapolis crowds cheer, celebrate with downtown Juneteenth parade