Columbia’s Cosmo Park hosts Juneteenth celebrations with free food and entertainment

COLUMBIA — Banks, post offices, public libraries and government offices were closed Wednesday in celebration of Juneteenth. The national holiday marked the day in 1865 when the last enslaved people in the United States learned they were free.

Thousands of people came to Columbia for this year’s Juneteenth events. Organizers held Columbia’s Fifth Annual Juneteenth event by The Village at Cosmo Park. Crowds enjoyed live music, food, and games during Juneteenth celebrations. Local African American business owners got the chance to sell their food and merchandise to large crowds.

The Village Member Mykene Powell said, “I love to see my people making money, to be honest with you. It’s a beautiful thing when you can continue to make money, grow as a people, and grow our businesses as well.”

The event offered live entertainment, games, educational activities for children, and free food and drinks.

The Village Member Eric Cravens said, “I like to see everybody come together and just celebrate. I think Juneteenth represents freedom for all Americans.”

The Village Member Raymond Gray said, “We try to celebrate and educate as well as aid and assist our people as much as possible regardless of any adversities.”

Sophia Smith is the owner of Grandma’s Southern Eats restaurant and the founder of the Sophia’s Helping Hand organization. Smith donated part of the profits from her Juneteenth sales to the homeless and low-income youth.

Smith said, “We are so grateful to be able to do this and try to give back to community. We’re also growing the community so we can better help the community.”

Juneteenth is a blend of the words June and nineteenth. The actual national holiday was on Wednesday this week, but Americans had parades, street festivals, musical performances, and cookouts throughout the entire month.

People in Columbia also held a Juneteenth Community Fellowship Luncheon Wednesday in Douglass Park.