‘Soulteenth’ Festival Celebrates Black Culture in Lexington
Juneteenth Celebrations At SoulTeenth Festival
June 19, also known as Juneteenth, is a significant day in the history of the United States. It commemorates the day the last enslaved individuals were freed, marking a pivotal moment in the fight for equal rights and freedom. This important event is often celebrated through various festivals that highlight Black culture and contributions.
In Lexington, Kentucky, a unique event known as the SoulTeenth festival is part of a ten-day celebration called SoulFeast Week, which wholly celebrates Black culinary culture. The festival, held at the popular Moondance Amphitheatre, became a veritable haven for Black-owned businesses to showcase their products and services.
SoulFeast Week’s Theme – “Feeding America Since 1619”
The cofounder of SoulFeast Week, Marcellus Barksdale, highlighted that this year’s theme was feeding America since 1619, a nod to the year when the first group of enslaved Africans were brought to the United States. The event celebrates the rich tradition, care, labor, and effort exerted by these individuals through extreme adversity.
Featuring A Diverse Array of Black-Owned Restaurants
Beyond just celebrating food, the SoulTeenth festival’s main aim was to highlight the wide range of contributions from the Black community. “Every dish that you have throughout the week, and even the cocktails, have at least one ingredient sourced through a Black farmer in central Kentucky,” pointed out Martina Barksdale, the co-founder of the event.
Not just limited to showcasing Black-owned restaurants, the event also focused on getting the community involved and ensuring that the Black population in the city was aware of all the resources available to them.
Celebration of Cultural Diversity
The festival was an overwhelming display of unity among various nationalities present, all coming together to celebrate Black culture. Seeing people from different backgrounds celebrating Juneteenth, a historical event that has only recently gained national holiday status, has been a remarkable experience that paints a hopeful picture for the future.
Looking Forward to More Celebrations
For more information about the various participating restaurants and future SoulFeast Week events, interested participants were directed to the official SoulFeast website.
The event was a significant stride in recognizing and celebrating the rich and diverse culture of the Black community in Lexington, KY. As numerous people came together to enjoy and appreciate the contributions of the Black community, the festival sent a powerful message – of acknowledgment, appreciation, and unity. The success of SoulTeenth this year certainly promises more such grand celebrations in the future.
