EASTON, Pa. — For some, it was a celebration with music, drummers and memorable figures.
For others — specifically, the Lehigh Valley's African American residents — it was a moment of empowerment and homage to their heritage.
Easton on Sunday held its second annual Juneteenth parade, coordinated by Juneteenth Lehigh Valley, gathering officials and residents from the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton area to celebrate the federal holiday.
"If you're a person of African descent in this country — if you're living in this country — you know Juneteenth has taken on the same meaning as the Fourth of July."Selina Winchester, Juneteenth Lehigh Valley volunteer coordinator
It even brought in groups from Philadelphia and the Poconos, Juneteenth Lehigh Valley volunteer coordinator Selina Winchester said.
It was bigger than last year's event, and can only continue to get bigger, she said.
"If it keeps growing like it is, then everyone is more aware now of Juneteenth and the meaning behind Juneteenth," Winchester said.
"You know, the celebration of freedom from slavery in the United States."
She described seeing the parade come to life over the past several months of planning, and the community rallying behind their ancestors' history, as meaning "everything" to her.
"If you're a person of African descent in this country, if you're living in this country, you know Juneteenth has taken on the same meaning as the Fourth of July," Winchester said.
"To know that we can have a parade in Easton where people recognize our accomplishments — because we have so many different groups here that are it's not just all entertainment — join us and celebrate the end of slavery in America."
'We have so much to celebrate'
Sisters Sahar and Sabreen Simmons said this year was their first time at the parade.
The pair said they grew up in a predominantly Black neighborhood in Bethlehem, before moving to a largely Caucasian neighborhood where Sabreen Simmons said she experienced racism.
Sahar Simmons said being able to celebrate Juneteenth with other African American residents in the Lehigh Valley "means a lot."
"It just makes us even more proud," Sahar Simmons said. "It shows us that we are here, we exist and we have so much to celebrate — especially when you realize, like, so much of our culture is implanted into the American culture.
"From the food to the dancing to the music to the fashion — we're so embedded into American culture. So what's nice to see that — our liberation was celebrated.
"We've been such a long way from there, too."
Sabreen Simmons said she found the event "exciting," noting Juneteenth only became a federal holiday in 2021.
The two agreed in saying they felt the event was empowering.
"And I love being Black — I do," Sabreen Simmons said with a laugh and an unapologetic smile. "I love my melanin. I love everybody, but I love being Black."
'Where we've come from'
Farther down the parade route, Tyrone Fisher, director of volunteer engagement for Big Brothers Big Sisters, said he was in Easton for "the next generation."
"Being a part of this Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton area, it is very important that we recognize where we've come from," Fisher said.
"Juneteenth is one of those experiences where we can understand where we've been, and what we want to do next."
His three children were at home, readying a surprise for Father's Day, he said. But he was there for them.
"So I want my children to understand where we've been and where we've come from. And the more that our community recognizes it, it changes house to house."Tyrone Fisher, Director of Volunteer Engagement for Big Brothers Big Sisters
"For me, this day is about celebrating what our history is, but also understanding where we need to go and how we need to mentor our next generation to be stronger," Fisher said.
"And to have more of a voice in our community. So I want my children to understand where we've been and where we've come from.
"And the more that our community recognizes it, it changes house to house."
'Means everything for us'
He also praised the diversity in the crowd Sunday, saying that having everyone — not just African Americans — celebrate Juneteenth pushes the community closer to positive change.
And the youth on whom he hoped the Juneteenth parade would make an impact were there, both in the parade and spectating.
Lazarus Cruz and Jaziel Jones, both 17, said they were there to support their cousin in the parade. They walked up and down the parade route, recording memories with a camcorder.
Being here "is very big it's because our cousin," Cruz said.
"He's representing Juneteenth and the abolishment of slavery — so it's big thing that's very important for all of us," he said.
"Just to see my cousin inside a car... and film him and put it on Instagram and show the audience that this is something really big happening right here in Easton."
Reflecting on the parade, Cruz said he felt "amazing" and "great" being surrounded by the community gathering to celebrate a part of history that "means everything for us people of color."
