Juneteenth is an African-American holiday celebrating the emancipation of slaves in Texas—and, more broadly, across the South—on June 19, 1865.
The Athens Land Trust marked the occasion with a celebration at its West Broad Farmers Market on Saturday morning, featuring speeches by Mokah Jasmine Johnson, Broderick Flanigan, Timothy Aaron Styles, Valarie Babb and Freda Giles; performances by Palms of Fire, the Hilsman Middle School step team, VIP Girls and the East Athens Dance Center troupe; an African fashion show, educational workshops and more.
Flagpole contributing photographer Austin Steele documented the scene:
Travis Johnson, 19, prepares a horse for kids to ride.
Marissa Jordan cuts vegetables as a part of a cooking demonstration.
The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Athens’ West African drum circle Palms of Fire performs.
East Athens Dance Center students perform.
Sharra Cherniak teaches yoga, as she does—for free—every Saturday at the farmers market.
Timothy Aaron Styles speaks.
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