Athens marks Juneteenth with a day of celebration and remembrance
By: Viviana Frazini
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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — The sounds of live music echoed through the celebration Friday as residents gathered to mark Juneteenth in Athens.
Attendees spent the afternoon browsing vendor booths, listening to performances and connecting with neighbors during the event, which honored the anniversary of June 19, 1865, the day enslaved people in Texas learned they were free.
As people danced and mingled throughout the venue, volunteer Cailin Johnson said the event offered an opportunity to bring people together while recognizing the holiday’s historical significance.
“It’s very cool to see people from every walk of life celebrating this holiday,” Johnson said. “It’s very important to highlight the communities that are most impacted by Juneteenth and that legacy. And yet again, it’s great to see all kinds of people together, and united with the spirit of community.”
Among those attending was Candace Igeleke, who was experiencing an Athens Juneteenth celebration for the first time.
“When people gather, there is always something to celebrate,” Igeleke said. “People are here, people are laughing and smiling, dancing. It’s a safe environment.”
For Igeleke, the holiday carries a deeper meaning rooted in perseverance and gratitude.
“Juneteenth means joy, it means resilience, it means being here and being present,” she said. “It’s giving thanks for the foundation, where we stand, where we come from.”
As the celebration continued into the afternoon, music remained at the center of the event, drawing people to their feet and creating moments of connection across generations.
Igeleke said events like this are important not only because they commemorate history, but because they encourage people to continue growing from it.
“It’s about celebrating but being open to learning and shifting mindsets,” she said.