'It means freedom': Small businesses hold open market to celebrate Juneteenth, Black history in Milwaukee

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- With less than 12 hours to go until the 52nd annual Juneteenth Jubilee Parade and other festivities, some Milwaukeeans stepped out into the city Sunday to kick off celebrations early.

Since the late 1800s, millions have honored the historic announcement that slaves in Texas were free.

Milwaukee is home to one of the country's oldest and largest celebrations, with tens of thousands attending each year.

On June 18, dozens got the party started a day early by attending the We Got Soul MKE Juneteenth Market which featured multiple Black-owned small businesses, some of which would be participating in Monday's events. 

For Demetria Williams, who runs Crochet Designs by Deme, Juneteenth is a day "for freedom."

"[It's] just like blackness and empowerment. Just a time to celebrate and be proud of who you are," Williams said.

Simuel Wilburn, who runs Jungle Gems, agreed, adding that Juneteenth serves as a reminder of Black history.

"I’m self-employed and young and black so this is a symbol of the hard work my ancestors put," Wilburn said. "It’s a sign of what they put that work in for so that’s what Juneteenth means to me.”

Organizers said more than 400 vendors would line the streets in Milwaukee on Monday.

For Keairra Ryles with KR The Label, the day is a welcome invitation for the community to support local. 

"There’s so many different people that you get to meet and it’s amazing to see creatives come together," Ryles said.

Besides vendors, there will also be floats, dancing, music, and great food.

“Juneteenth is a very big hug for me. It’s a big smile moment, it’s a feeling of warmth to be able to walk through a space and see happiness everywhere you look," said Jakayla Bridges with Keeping the Khemistry, Khemistry Kosmetics, and Waisted by Jakayla. “Being able to go outside and see groups of Black people and Black entrepreneurs pouring back into the Black community with the Black dollar, it’s a beautiful feeling, it’s beautiful to see. We deserve to be poured into every day. We deserve to be seen and heard every day.”

The parade will go from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. on Monday, June 19.

The route begins at 14th and Atkinson, continues down Atkinson and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr., and ends at W. Locust St. and MLK. 

For more information on Milwaukee's Juneteenth celebrations, click here.