The skies may have opened up with rain and lightning, but Jersey City, N.J., never backed down. The third annual All About Us Juneteenth Festival took over Liberty State Park on Thursday (June 19) and while the weather tried to literally rain on the parade, the celebration carried on with pride, power, and plenty of soul.
“From the moment you walk in, it’s going to feel like joy,” stated Shannon Mitchell, the festival’s founder, ahead of the event. “We created this space to remind us of what freedom really looks like — being together, being seen, and celebrating everything we are. Black history is American history, and this day is for all of us.”
Mitchell’s words indeed echoed throughout the day, even as the crowd ducked and dodged rain showers and gusty winds. Although some tents collapsed under the weight of the weather, and attendees were forced to seek shelter more than once, the energy was still unshakable. Liberty State Park was alive with food trucks serving everything from fried fish to jerk chicken, a Kid Zone filled with games and face painting, local vendors selling art and more, and muralists creating live art pieces for attendees to admire.
When it came to performances, house music lovers were treated to soulful sets by Robin S, who had the crowd dancing to her timeless anthem “Show Me Love,” and Jersey’s own Kenny Bobien, who lent his vocals to “You Are My Friend,” had folks two-stepping on wet grass in gratitude.
As the main stage built momentum, Hip-Hop heavyweight Jadakiss pushed through his set, proving exactly why he remains one of rap’s most respected voices. His presence alone cut through the gloom, and for many, it was the highlight of the day.
Unfortunately, beloved R&B star voice, Mario — who was slated to close out the festival — never got the chance to hit the stage to deliver more than just a greeting. A late round of thunderstorms brought the celebration to a premature end, with organizers prioritizing safety as lightning lit up the Jersey sky.
As Mitchell told media, “This is important to the community, rain or shine.” And rain or shine, Jersey City still showed up making many anticipate next year’s celebratory event.
Instagram/Marioworldwide
And for anyone still unsure about what Juneteenth represents, it was officially recognized as a federal holiday in 2021, just one year after nationwide protests for racial justice reignited urgent conversations around Black liberation and equity in America.
Per United States Capitol Historical Society, the combining of “June” and “nineteenth,” commemorates the day in 1865 when the last group of enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, were finally informed of their freedom — more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed by President Abraham Lincoln. While the day marks a powerful moment of liberation, it also highlights how long freedom was delayed for those in the deepest parts of the confederacy.
Historically, the very first Juneteenth in 1866 was recognized with food, music, and the reading of spirituals — symbolizing both freedom and pride in Black progress. Today, Juneteenth has become a global celebration embraced by the African diaspora as a powerful reminder of emancipation, resilience, and joy.
See more from attendees of New Jersey’s All About Us Festival below.
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