The Porch Visits Norman Juneteenth Festival As Celebrations Kick Off

Juneteenth celebrations have officially begun. With the festivities already kicking off on Tuesday evening, thousands of Oklahomans have started their own celebrations for the holiday.

News 9's Jordan Ryan took the Arca Continental Coca-Coal Southwest Beverages Porch to a Juneteenth festival in Norman to see how locals are preparing and celebrating for this years holiday.

Juneteenth, also known as Emancipation Day, was established as a national holiday by President Biden in 2021 which signifies the freedom of the enslaved after the conclusion of the Civil War. The holiday is celebrated by thousands nationwide and has a profound impact on communities all across the country.

A Juneteenth festival is being held in Norman on Wednesday evening to bring people of the community together to celebrate and remember the importance of the holiday.

Tyra Jackson, the Norman Juneteenth Committee Chair, along with Kendall Hendricks, Co-CEO of the nonprofit 2gether We Will, shared what will be present at this year's festival and what visitors can expect.

"They're going to experience community togetherness, just everyone coming together for a great time, learning about the Juneteenth holiday and what it all brings to the nation and the city," Hendricks said

The festival at Reeves Park begins at six o'clock Wednesday evening and will feature games, food trucks, and other fun activities for visitors.

For more information on the festival, click here.