Midwest City celebrates Juneteenth
Local veterans posted the color and the Juneteenth flag on Saturday during the Midwest City Juneteenth Family Festival at Joe B. Barnes Regional Park. Photo by Maxine Wheelan
By Maxine Wheelan
Midwest City Beacon
Joe B. Barnes Regional Park was a busy place on Saturday as residents celebrated the Juneteenth holiday.
The second annual Juneteenth Midwest City Family Festival included music, food, activities for children and more. The holiday commemorates the ending of slavery in the United States.
The All Funk Radio Show from Dallas kept the Yo Funk Band playing all afternoon.
The Juneteenth flag was posted by AD Commander Kenneth McKnight, Jr.; Commander Melvin Hopkins and Benjamin Grant, Finance Officer from the James R. American Legion Post 157.
Retired Master Sgt. Hiawatha Bouldin was present to keep things moving and he got in the act with the flag posting. (after it was posted).
More than 30 vendors were present despite the warm temperatures. There was free water in several locations and all the attendees were taking advantage of it. Several food trucks were also available.
The pavilion seemed to be the best place to take a break, and with a good breeze blowing it kept cool.
Midwest City police officers, Lt. Henry, Sgt. Parvanova and Lt. Carissa Southern attended the event.
Ted Swindall of SS Farms brought a horse for children and even some adults to ride.
Cindy, the face painter, seemed to always have a waiting line and Lilly loved sporting her OU for everyone to see. Christopher and Ashley chose a more subtle painting.
“JUNETEENTH the Joe B. Barnes Regional Park was
