Longmont is gearing up for a vibrant celebration of Juneteenth — a federal holiday marking the end of slavery in the United States — kicking off Saturday, June 17, the event promises to be a compelling blend of cultural recognition, community engagement and educational enlightenment.
The Juneteenth celebration will take place in two segments. The first part, a free event, will be held at Roosevelt Park from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and promises an afternoon filled with food, live entertainment, special guests and more. Then, as the day gives way to the night, the celebration will move to the Longmont Theatre Company for an evening of comedy, spoken word performances and music. The night event requires tickets, which can be purchased on the Longmont Theatre Company website.
The festivities are orchestrated by Shiquita Yarbrough, the first Black woman elected to the Longmont City Council and a fierce advocate for racial equity and cultural inclusion. With a keen understanding of the community's evolving needs, Yarbrough has brought her unique vision to the event, working tirelessly to ensure it reflects the diverse voices within our city.
"We always continue to learn," Yarbrough said. "Every year, nothing is set in stone, because the community grows. People come and go. You learn every year what people want and want to see."
The celebration at Roosevelt Park is an array of activities and performances that are rooted in African American culture and history. A highlight of the event will be the presence of Congressman Joe Neguse, who represents Colorado’s 2nd District in the U.S. House of Representatives and is the first Black Member of Congress in Colorado history. Congressman Neguse will share a few words with the crowd, providing an inspirational kick-off to the event.
The event will also feature the return of fashion designer Prep, the first black collaborator for Banana Republic, who held a spectacular fashion show last year. Prep is known for custom pieces for celebrities and his growing influence in the fashion and entertainment community.
In addition to the fashion show, the event will be graced by the upcoming band Saridae, who have been gaining recognition for their performances around Boulder County. The DJ BIGG DADD, a seasoned professional with over 26 years of experience, will be at the helm of keeping the crowd entertained and the event flowing smoothly.
Adding a unique twist to this year's celebration, attendees will also have the chance to participate in double Dutch, a game deeply embedded in African American communities. This activity is expected to provide a cultural experience not just for the kids in Longmont but for everyone present, including grownups.
Yarbrough reminisced about growing up in Chicago where she was first introduced to the joy and camaraderie of double Dutch. These playful games formed an integral part of her youth, becoming a symbol of community bonding and cultural expression that she carries with her in her community work today.
Last year, Yarbrough single-handedly organized the Juneteenth celebration at Roosevelt Park. This year, she expressed gratitude for the committee that has helped her reach out to various vendors and organizations.
Yarbrough's vision for the event hopes to inspire the next generation of community leaders to uphold and expand these important celebrations. She recalled a touching moment from last year's event when a young girl thanked her for organizing the event, saying that it made all the hard work worthwhile.
Yarbrough believes that such events, which not only commemorate history but also educate, are critical as they create experiences and opportunities for young people to learn about their past and understand their heritage, something not typically provided by conventional history books.
To further the educational aspect of Juneteenth, each vendor at the celebration is required to provide an activity reflecting Juneteenth at their booth. This requirement is aimed at engaging people, particularly children, and hopefully, enhancing their understanding of the holiday.
"My hope is to pave the way for the next person to come in and put this on every year," Yarbrough said. "We need the youth perspective and what they want to see in their community. Hopefully, I can learn from them, and they can learn from me, and we can work together in creating these amazing cultural events."
