Celebrate Freedom and Flavor: Join Us for the 4th Annual Juneteenth Food Festival in Weeksville!

The Weeksville Heritage Center is once again teaming up with Black-Owned Brooklyn to throw the fourth annual Juneteenth Food Festival. This free gathering will be held on June 19 from noon to 8 p.m. at Weeksville, a historic site that represents one of pre-Civil War America’s largest free Black communities. It’s located at 158 Buffalo Ave in Crown Heights.

This year, 29 talented Black chefs and restaurants will showcase their food and drinks. You can expect delicious offerings from spots like frozen dessert maker Island Pops, seafood haven The Crabby Shack, and soul food restaurant Black Nile. And for the music lovers, DJ Spinna will be keeping the vibe just right with a lively soundtrack.

Cynthia Gordy Giwa, co-founder of Black-Owned Brooklyn, expressed her excitement about collaborating for this event. She and her husband, Tayo, started this initiative in 2018 to highlight Black-owned businesses and leadership in Brooklyn. The idea for the food festival came in 2021 after they realized there weren’t many events celebrating Juneteenth’s culinary roots.

“Weeksville plays such an important role in preserving our collective memory,” Giwa noted. “Creating an event centered around food just made sense.”

According to Raymond Codrington, president of the Weeksville Heritage Center, this festival has become the biggest event of the year for them. He mentioned, “The festival is unique and draws people who might not usually visit cultural sites. It’s incredible to see the support and how much it has expanded over time.”

In addition to great food, attendees can browse books from BEM Books & More, featuring literature about Black cuisine. There will also be performances from Brooklyn’s World Champion Jazzy Jumpers double dutch team and youth drumline performers from Brooklyn United Music & Arts.

Interestingly, a recent survey conducted by the National Museum of African American History and Culture found that 83% of Americans see importance in celebrating Juneteenth. This shows a growing recognition of the holiday in American culture, focusing on the history and contributions of Black Americans.

In a world where food can unify communities, the Juneteenth Food Festival serves not only as a celebration but also as a reminder of the rich history and vibrant culture it represents. The event reflects a broader trend of utilizing food festivals to connect people with their heritage and create a sense of community.

For more details about the festival, check out the official page.

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