PHOTO | ASHEEBO ROJAS

Juneteenth Festival of the Carolinas organizer Pape Ndiaye founded the showcase in 1997 to educate and unify the community through honoring African ancestors and their freedom from slavery.

Juneteenth is around the corner which means the “largest and oldest Juneteenth Festival in the Carolinas” is at hand.

The Juneteenth Festival of the Carolinas will run from June 16-19 and showcase art, food, music, and a variety of activities put on by vendors from all over the country and parts of Africa. The festivities will take place around Plaza Midwood and the House of Africa at 1215 Thomas Ave.

This year is special for the event as it marks the 25th anniversary. Pape Ndiaye, with the help of the Charlotte community, founded the festival in 1997 with the purpose to educate and unify the community through honoring African American ancestors and their freedom from enslavement.

“Our goal is not to recreate the past but to venerate our ancestors, and in their honor, cultivate the true spirit of freedom,” Ndiaye said in the festival’s mission statement.
Here’s an itinerary:

June 16
The youth Cultural Camp will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Children ages 5-17 are invited to Elizabeth Traditional Elementary School for a full day of cultural activities including making crafts, jewelry, performing skits, tie-dying, and more. Bring a t-shirt to participate in the tie-dye class.

June 17
It’s opening day for all festivities, starting with the popular Drum Circle. From 5 to 10 p.m., drummers and dancers of many ethnicities all over the world will come together for a night of music. There will also be community fellowship and the annual talent show.

June 18
Saturday will be a full day beginning with the Juneteenth Freedom and Unity March at 10 a.m. The procession will begin at the Grady Cole Center and end at the House of Africa where the festival began 25 years ago.

The Juneteenth Parade and Street Festival will follow with food and multiple sections set up offering different events. Free healthcare screenings, wellness seminars, and exercise workshops will be provided by local healthcare professionals at the Healthcare Village.

The Children’s Village will offer children’s entertainment including crafts, storytelling, and a performing stage.

The Entertainment Stage will showcase African drumming, dance, and various genres of music from local and national performers. International fashion designer Khadim Soung from Senegal will also hold a fashion show for his company, Belle Allure Couture in the evening.

June 19
The festival wraps with a church service by University Park Baptist Church at 11 a.m. Gospelfest will follow, and there will also be a youth seminar, tribute to fathers, and a tribute to the festival’s co-founder Isaac Applewhite at 1 p.m.

“In African culture we believe in loyalty,” Ndiaye said. “And Isaac Applewhite was one of the people that made Juneteenth happen back in the day when it was no Juneteenth to be found nowhere else in the southeast and most of the parts of America. That’s why we believe we need to give back to him. Honoring him.”

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