MILWAUKEE — Communities across the country are celebrating Juneteenth, the federal holiday to commemorate emancipation.

For the past 51 years, the City of Milwaukee has hosted a Juneteenth celebration. Hundreds, maybe even thousands of people were at the celebration on Sunday led by the Northcott Neighborhood House.

This year’s theme was “A Tribute to Dads… Father, Teacher, Protector and Hero,” in honor of Father’s Day.

The celebration included a parade and a street market that had more than one hundred booths.

Cheering on the parade was Tim Scott. He said the celebration is special to him because he grew up right along the parade route on the corner of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. and Ring St.

“The parade used to wake us up every morning,” said Scott. “The drums. As little kids, we’d run down here and watch it. We’ve been doing that every year for the last 50 years.

He’s proud of his neighborhood for leading by example on all things Juneteenth.

“We know a lot of people in the parade,” said Scott. “Those our are friends and our neighbors. We’ve seen the young kids grow up. As dancers and now they’re leading and leading the community.”

Juneteenth is Tim’s favorite holiday, and it’s much sweeter now that it’s federally recognized.

“I’m thankful it’s finally being recognized by other people,” he said. “Other people are celebrating with us things we’ve known for a long time. I’m happy the word is getting out there on Juneteenth.”

Kwabena Falson has also been attending the celebration for the past few decades.

“It’s a statement of the contributions and the accomplishments of African descent people of this place we call America,” Falson said. “It’s really a celebration of our persistent and endurance in a pretty difficult place.”

He’s hopeful the future of Juneteenth lives on and not only in the Milwaukee community but across the country.

“The Martin Luther King holiday is starting to lose its luster,” said Falson. “I hope this does not lose its significant as well. It’s not an African American experience, but an American experience. I hope we can all embrace our joint history.”

Both men are proud of their heritage and the community, continuing to educate the importance of the holiday that ended slavery in the United States.