Reggae, Jazz, Hip-hop and R&B can be heard throughout Plaza De Cesar Chavez Park on Saturday afternoon at the annual Juneteenth celebration in San Jose.
That's where the 37th annual Juneteenth celebration, sponsored by the African American Community Service Agency, is takin place. The event is to commemorate African American freedom and the abolition of slavery.
One attendee, Pamela Lewis, dances to "Could You Be Love" by Bob Marley as she spoke to NBC Bay Area. Lewis says she's at the festival to represent black America.
The festival is named after June 19, the historic day in 1865 in which the abolition of slavery was announced in Texas. It has become the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States.
NBC Bay Area's anchor Marcus Washington is emcee-ing at the event. The headliner musician is R&B singer-songwriter and Grammy Award winner Brandy.
A variety of food, artwork, retailers, community services and local business are also presented at the festival.
The event is free from noon to 1 p.m. and for kids under the age of 12. There will be a $10 charge for adults from 1-7 p.m.
Organizers warned attendees that pets, coolers, large umbrellas, skateboards, bikes, outside food and/or drinks, bottles, loitering, cans, weapons, and smoking of any kind are not permitted.
