Celebrating freedom at Milwaukee's Juneteenth

Angela Fitzgerald: I’m finding my groove at Juneteenth in Milwaukee with the Northcott Neighborhood House, diving into the action from lively music to local flavors.

[groovy music]

Angela Fitzgerald: While exploring, I met up with Reginald Jones, who shares a backyard with the festival.

Reginald Jones: Back in the mid-1950s, my parents bought a house about 300 yards from where we’re standing.

Angela Fitzgerald: Oh, wow.

Reginald Jones: So I’m literally at home. Well, what’s important about this is we’ll find that research does justice to history. And Juneteenth Day specifically commemorates the end of chattel slavery in the United States. We do know the Emancipation Proclamation was signed in 1863, but unfortunately, the men and women who were still held in bondage in Galveston, Texas, had no clue that system had ended.

[cheers and applause]

Reginald Jones: As you can all see, the streets is teeming with people. I’m glad they made it down. And what’s unique about the Milwaukee Juneteenth celebration, it is one of the longest-running and largest celebrations in the entire nation.

Angela Fitzgerald: A celebration that’s been welcoming folks of all ages to come together. Including longtime attendee Rosalind Baker. What was it like when it was first starting?

Rosalind Baker: It was nice. Well, we thought it was wonderful. ‘Cause you know, it was some packed, but nothing like this. When I came back from North Carolina last year and I saw this, I said, “My God! This is so wonderful! It’s beautiful!” And this is where I sit when I come so I can see everybody go past.

[groovy music]

Angela Fitzgerald: From shopping to games to delicious food, it’s all happening at Milwaukee’s Juneteenth celebration.

[applause] [indistinct conversation]