Here are some of the ways the Milwaukee area is celebrating Juneteenth this year

Juneteenth is a special holiday that honors the enslaved African- Americans who were freed on June 19, 1865. Black communities across the country usually gather to celebrate this holiday in various ways. Here in Milwaukee, Juneteenth is home to one of the oldest celebrations in the country and each year it's often celebrated with a parade and street festival.

Here's how adults and children can participate in the activities for Juneteenth.

Milwaukee's Juneteenth festival will include a mobile skating rink, horse rides and games

Homer Blow is the music and program director of his nonprofit organization called Homer Blow Foundation Inc. To celebrate Juneteenth, the Homer Blow Foundation Inc. will partner with WestCare Wisconsin and Bader Philanthropies Inc. to bring children a mobile skating rink and music in the Kids Zone at the city's annual festival.

Blow is expecting thousands of children to come and try the rink during the Juneteenth street festival.

"I'm super excited because I'll be working with one of my biggest passions, children and families," he expressed.

Blow realizes what the different challenges children in Milwaukee may face like violence, homelessness and more. However, he has optimism that there are positive ways to change this narrative.

"It's important to bring back the morals, values and fun that children are supposed to be experiencing at the developmental stages of their life," he said.

Other activities in the Kids Zone will include horse rides, games, costumed characters and more. Free food will also be served.

Your child can participate in these activities from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, June 19 on the playground of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. School, 3275 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.

Hear spoken word performances, access free resources at Gospel Fest 2024 in Wauwatosa

To celebrate Juneteenth in the Wauwatosa area, Higher Dimension HD Radio, LLC will be hosting a Juneteenth gospel festival that's free for all from noon to 7 p.m. on Saturday, June 22 at Hart Park on the Rotary Stage.

Organizers said in a statement how unique it was to celebrate Juneteenth this way.

"This is the only festival of its kind in the community to honor our ancestors, celebrate African and African American cultural heritage, unite our diverse community, and connect residents with resources and services," the statement said.

Pastor Ellis Murchison Jr. will be present to lead the Gospel Fest opening prayer and then festivities will kick off including spoken word performances, free community resources and more.

Milwaukee will have an arts and culture contest for Juneteenth

TRUE Skool Inc. is a nonprofit organization on Milwaukee's north side that focuses on using using art and hip-hop as tools to educate and engage youth . At 9 a.m. on Wednesday, June 19, a live arts and culture contest will be held in front of the Martin Luther King Jr. Peace Place between North Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and Ring Street.

Fidel Verdin, the co-executive director of the organization was excited about TRUE Skool Inc. being a participant of the historical event. "People get to witness the start of the blank canvases, the process, the teamwork and then the beautiful completion of original masterpieces," he said.

According to Verdin, the contest usually features up to 12 competing artists, but all artists are welcome to register for a chance to win over $2,000 in cash prizes.

There will be face painting along with interactive paint walls for hundreds of children and adults to add onto throughout the day as well.

The theme of this year's contest will be "Our History, Our Culture, Our Village" and Verdin hopes to see the continuation of Juneteenth represented in art as it gives everyone a creative outlet to be free. "Our live art demonstrations are designed to uplift our community stories and get people talking about our collective history," he said.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Juneteenth 2024 celebrations and festivals in Milwaukee, Wauwatosa