MADISON, Wis. (SPECTRUM NEWS) - Thousands celebrated Juneteenth in Wisconsin’s capital city Friday, as the holiday takes on new meaning this year.

Madison has held Juneteenth celebrations for 30 years. Normally it’s organized by the Kujichagulia Center for Self-Determination. This year, they shifted the celebration to virtual events held all week.

Some young Madison natives stepped in to hold something in person. Although COVID-19 is very much still a threat, after seeing all the people protesting, they knew some would like to celebrate the holiday face-to-face.

There was something different in the air celebrating Juneteenth on Friday. The holiday holds new meaning this year, in the middle of a historic movement for Black equity and equality.

“This year is important,” said 23-year-old N’dia Jones, who organized the event with 22-year-old Teeanna Brisco. “Obviously today’s about celebrating emancipation, but also understanding how much work we still have to do,” Brisco said.

There were musicians, food trucks, Black-owned businesses, yoga sessions, and a table to register to vote at Olin Park. 

For some, it’s the first time taking part in Juneteenth celebrations. Even the organizers didn’t learn about Juneteenth until they were at least teenagers.

“I personally, growing up, even in the Madison area, don’t even remember celebrating Juneteenth,” said 22-year-old Teeanna Brisco. She’s a law student at Howard University. “It was actually when I went to undergrad and became a Black studies minor that I had a lot of professors who were big on Juneteenth and just different things culturally that I never really thought about or celebrated when I was growing up and when I was younger.”

Another organizer, 23-year-old N’dia Jones, first started celebrating when she was in high school. “I didn’t celebrate Juneteenth as much until I got old enough to really learn what it was,” said Jones. “This will be really the first year that I’ve celebrated in a while.”

Precious Golden brought her 3-year-old son Josiah. “I have two other kids, two other boys, two other black boys,” Golden said. “It’s really important for them to know what this holiday is about… and for them to know this is a holiday for us.”

Josiah was having a blast blowing bubbles. For now, that’s all Juneteenth is: an opportunity to see other people, and have fun outside. But as he grows up, Golden hopes he looks back on years of Juneteenths, grateful to have a day to celebrate Black history and Black life. “This is definitely a holiday for my kids growing up,” said Golden. “This is a tradition.”

“We’re celebrating freedom, but also we’re not all the way free,” said Jones. “We’re out here pushing for change.”