More than 1,500 are expected to attend Saturday's big Juneteenth event.
Gerald M. Gay Juneteenth festivities, meant to observe the official emancipation of slavery in the United States on June 19, 1865, return to an outdoor setting this year, set to take place over the course of two days at two different locations in Tucson.
In addition to the entertainment aspect, the festival will also host around 40 nonprofits geared toward themes like voter registration, education and health awareness. People will be able to get tested on-site for hepatitis C, high blood pressure and diabetes. People are also reading… “We didn’t want it to be just about food and music,” said Larry Starks, board president of the Juneteenth Festival Committee. “We are trying to give back in different ways to the community.”