AUSTIN, Texas – Austin residents celebrated Junteenth in East Austin Saturday ahead of the official holiday on Tuesday.
Janika Imafidon attends the annual parade every year with her family, but this year is extra special because she brought her one-year-old daughter for the first time.
"I want to make sure I pass this tradition along to her and she passes it along to her children," she said.
Juneteenth has been around since 1865. It commemorates June 19, the day of the announcement in Texas that slavery was abolished.
"It's important for us, historically, to celebrate that and understand that and to pass that along to the next generation so we don't forget who we are, where we come from and why." said Imafidon.
Hundreds lined the streets in East Austin for the biggest Juneteenth event in the area. The mayor and newly appointed Austin Police Chief Brian Manley attended. The parade was followed up by more celebrations at Rosewood Park. School teacher Doris Bailey hopes this event will encourage younger generations to learn more about African-American history.
"This is a good catalyst for them to learn some things because we have vendors here set up where they can take literature home to read," said Bailey.
She said remembering the past will inspire to keep going and make even more changes for the future.
"Where we come from to where we are. We still have a long way to go," said Bailey.