- 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]
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.
- Oh, wow. - 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]
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: 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?
- 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!
[Angela chuckles] "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: From shopping to games to delicious food,
it's all happening
at Milwaukee's Juneteenth celebration.
[applause] [indistinct conversation]