WLNE: First ‘Taste of Juneteenth New England’ held in Providence

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Despite the extreme heat, it was a day of celebration and culture at Farm Fresh Rhode Island.

The holiday honors the emancipation of slaves in Texas on June 19, 1865, and it is the first year that Rhode Island is recognizing the day as a state holiday.

“We are celebrating freedom, we are celebrating a day that all of the slaves were finally emancipated,” Cultro food truck co-owner Leslie Polanco said. “We are excited to showcase how far we have come from there.”

Many people spent their day at the very first Taste of Juneteenth New England event.

“It definitely means a lot to me here in Rhode Island even though we are talking about Texas,” Muse Foundation Founder Juan Wilson said. “We were one of the thirteen colonies and the Atlantic slave trade came through Bristol, Rhode Island.”

“It’s a great opportunity to reflect on the progress that we have made in this country and the progress that is yet to come,” Congressman Gabe Amo said.

The building at Farm Fresh Rhode Island was full of African culture, through food, drinks, music, and craft.

“I think it is just important to recognize the monumental event that is it,” AFReats Creative Director Masem Enyong said. “The feeling of ‘we see you’ and making the steps towards acknowledging your history, because black history is American history.”

Not even the heat could keep people from coming out and celebrating.

“It was perfect because they have some benches, they have the windows and doors open,” Providence resident Azia Johnson said. “I thought it was a good idea to be here on this Wednesday, it’s beautiful outside. I would rather be here than inside.”