MUSKEGON COUNTY, Mich. — The City of Muskegon celebrated their first Juneteenth Parade in Downtown Muskegon.
On Juneteenth National Independence Day, commonly known as Juneteenth, hundreds of people are cheering, dancing and celebrating the day slavery ended in the United States.
On June 19, 1865, freedom was born. To commemorate the occasion, Michelle Tyson, chief executive officer at Taking Back Muskegon, Inc., organized the city’s first Juneteenth parade.
"We all came out just as one big family just to celebrate Juneteenth and what it means,” Tyson said. "We also educated people today because a lot of children didn't know what Juneteenth was so we educated them in these last few months. The year 1865 was Freedom Day for us, no more slavery."
Along Western Avenue, hundreds of people lined their chairs up along the sidewalk while braving the hot weather to enjoy the music, performances and live entertainment. Among those marching in the parade were Muskegon’s NAACP Chapter, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated and the Boys and Girls Club of Muskegon.
Opaline Taylor has called Muskegon home for more than 70 years and is happy to witness her hometown's fist Juneteenth parade with her family.
"This parade means a lot to me simply because it's something that should be done and our young people need to know about it. It just brings us all together as a community,” Taylor said. "When I was going to school, we never had nothing like this. I’m 77 years old and to see something like this happening is wonderful, it means a lot to me."
The parade is hosted by Taking Back Muskegon, Inc. The organization says it's more than just a parade, it's a showcase of unity and the creative spirit of the community. With an overwhelming response of people participating in the parade, Taylor says she looks forward to the continued celebrations that honor the end of slavery and the beginning of freedom nearly 160 years ago.
"I’ve seen so many things happen just over the years, lots of jobs and different people,” Taylor said. "The community has changed, and a lot of good things have happened here in Muskegon and I hope they continue to happen here for our young people."
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