WS Chronicle

Festival will be held on Saturday, June 15, from 1-8 p.m. at Innovation Quarter

Triad Cultural Arts will present a Juneteenth weekend celebration throughout Winston-Salem from June 13 through June 16, including its 25th annual all-day festival in Biotech Place and Bailey Park on Saturday, June 15. Juneteenth commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans and honors the invaluable contributions of African Americans to our society. 

The theme for this year’s celebration is African Americans and the Arts. The 25th anniversary of the local Juneteenth Festival will be commemorated by honoring storyteller Patricia “Mardia” Stepney for her visionary role in initiating the idea of holding a local Juneteenth Celebration.

Presenting partners for the June 15 celebration are Food Lion, the City of Winston-Salem, Arts Council of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County, Truist and the Marguerite Casey Foundation.

The Juneteenth Festival on June 15 at Innovation Quarter will take place inside Biotech Place at 575 Patterson Ave. and outside in Bailey Park at 445 Patterson Ave. Biotech Place will be open from 1 to 5 p.m. and will include gospel music, merchandise vendors, community displays, health discussions and a sponsor meet and greet. Additionally, a culturally affirming Arts and Literacy Village will include creative activities Black author read-a-louds, games and crafts. 10,000 attendees are expected.

Bailey Park events will run from 1 to 8 p.m. and will include R&B and jazz music, African dance, youth performances, merchandise vendors, a Food Lion local produce stand and more! Kid’s Kingdom will be available from 1-5 p.m. and will include games, tribal dot face painting, crafts, make-n-takes and more.

This year’s festival will feature a wide array of activities for all ages and interests. Attendees can look forward to:

*Main Stage Performances: Enjoy live music and captivating dance performances, which will showcase the richness and diversity of Black artistic expression. Featured will be a tribute show to legendary recording artist, Rick James.

*Black Arts Impact Awards: Honor the remarkable achievements of six individuals and organizations in the Winston-Salem community. Awards will be presented in three categories: Performing, Visual and Literary Arts. Triad Cultural Arts will also have a commemorative poster for sale designed by honoree Leo Rucker.

*Special Exhibits: Learn about the Shotgun House Revitalization Project which will document significant narratives concerning Black life in Winston-Salem throughout the Jim Crow and Civil Rights periods and discover the impact of school desegregation on the African American community in Winston-Salem with the Rooted in Race: A Community’s Journey to School Integration exhibit.

*Food and Refreshments: Experience a wide variety of culinary delights, including traditional soul food and fusion cuisine representing the flavors of the African diaspora.

*Artistry: Celebrate artistry with an assortment of original art and art prints, each showcasing unique expressions of creativity and original artwork that captures the essence of African culture. 

*Apparel and Accessories: Explore a vibrant array of Afrocentric fashion and cultural treasures, including jewelry, t-shirts, hats and scarves that reflect the beauty of African traditions and commemorate Black heritage.

The reception for the annual Juneteenth art exhibition will be held on Thursday, June 13, 6 p.m. at The Enterprise Center. “Healers in Focus: Twin City Doctors Through the Lens of Owens Daniels” will feature artistic photographs of some of our local healthcare professionals. 

New to the Juneteenth celebration this year is Freedom’s Melody: A Juneteenth Brunch. The brunch will be held at Sweet Potatoes on Sunday, June 16, with R&B, soul and jazz music at 12:30 p.m. and Afro-beats at 3 p.m. The brunch will celebrate the culinary arts and African American foodways, showcasing the flavors, techniques and cultural influences that have evolved over centuries and embody the resilience and creativity of African American communities throughout history. 

As a native of Winston-Salem, Executive Director Abrea Armstrong is thrilled to present her first Juneteenth. She says, “As the new leader of Triad Cultural Arts, I’m excited to host the inaugural Juneteenth Brunch featuring differing music genres to celebrate the intergenerationally of our organization – and our community.”

For more information, visit https://triadculturalarts.org/index.php/juneteenth-2/.