LEXINGTON, Ky. — Lexington will mark Juneteenth with events throughout the weekend. Juneteenth is a celebration of freedom commemorating the end of slavery in the United States.
The Lexington Lyric Theatre, once a venue for Black performers on the Chitlin’ Circuit in the 1940s, is now an interactive cultural arts center that hosts community events each week.
This week, the theater is centered on a major Juneteenth celebration.
“We’re going to celebrate American history. We’re going to celebrate and understand that there’s no Juneteenth. There is no United States of America that we have today because we stand on the shoulders of formerly enslaved people,†said Christian Adair.
More than a day off, Adair said the celebration honors the liberties, skills and passions that observances like Juneteenth made possible for African Americans.
The event will particularly highlight local musicians, artists and entrepreneurs.
“Businesses will set up their vendor booths. Most of them are Black-owned businesses. We also have, you know, painting, kids’ area, things for the whole family to do. We’ll have food trucks. So we’ll be, you know, supporting businesses,†Adair said.
The music and dancing also extend to SoulFeast Week, which begins at the Mellery Lounge and runs through Sunday’s finale at Greyline Station.
Kiah Arnold is the event coordinator for SoulFeast week, the four-day festival of culture and cuisine on Juneteenth in Lexington. (Spectrum News 1/Sabriel Metcalf)
Kiah Arnold is the event coordinator for the four-day festival of culture and cuisine.
“So Black-owned restaurants that are using ingredients sourced from black farmers through the partnership with Black Soil, it’s amazing. But then also the events as well, the people come for,†Arnold said.
While Moondance Amphitheater hosted the event the last few years, SoulTeenth Fest will move to Gatton Park on Saturday.
“At the amphitheater of moon dance. That’s where we’ve been for the past few years, but we were limited in space, so now we can have more vendors,†she said.
Arnold said the family-inspired event and its founders are excited to celebrate the sixth year of the tradition.
“I don’t know if they thought like, oh, this is going to turn into Lexington’s premier Juneteenth celebration event. and Kentucky,†Arnold said.
The Juneteenth event starts at noon at the Lyric, while the concert runs from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
