I had the honor of co-hosting the 10th annual South Carolina Juneteenth Freedom Fest at Finlay Park in Columbia alongside Sierra Artemis, and I’m still trying to wrap my mind around what I saw.
They say somewhere around 30,000 people came through that park.
I don’t know if I’ve ever stood in front of that many people in my life. Folks with lawn chairs, fans, and turkey legs. Folks with full plates and the spiritual gift of pretending they didn’t hear you ask for a bite.
South Carolinians showed up in a big way, and so did the rest of the world, it felt like. I saw several Latin American and Caribbean communities. What stood out to me was seeing so many different people come together to celebrate freedom.
That’s what Juneteenth is supposed to feel like.
Not just a date on the calendar. Not just a reason for Target to sell one T-shirt with a fist on it and act like they changed history. A real celebration of resilience, progress, and community.
This year marked ten years of Freedom Fest, and you could feel it. Shout out to the organizers who helped make it happen, including Fairfield County’s own Jamal Bradley. Pulling off an event that size is no joke.
The performances were strong all day. Live in the Flesh Band had the crowd rocking. Shanisha Watkins, also known as Lucid Soul, represented Fairfield County well. The DJs kept the energy where it needed to be.
And the whole day was building toward a headlining performance from Midnight Star, which all of the aunties were absolutely ready for.
If you know me, you know I was ready for a little “No Parking on the Dance Floor” in Finlay Park. I was full on preparing to act like somebody’s tipsy uncle at a cookout.
Most of the people there were doing exactly what they came to do: celebrate, support vendors, enjoy music, and honor a piece of American history that matters deeply to this country.
I saw people from all backgrounds celebrating freedom together. I saw little kids dancing, grown folks two-stepping, aunties dressed like they had three compliments to collect before sundown, and vendors working hard in the heat trying to make a living.
Finlay Park felt like exactly what a festival is supposed to feel like. It felt alive, connected—the kind of day that reminds you how powerful community can be when people come together for the right reasons.
And that’s what I want people to remember most.
For most of Saturday, Finlay Park didn’t feel like just another venue.
Thank you for everyone who participated, our law enforcement for keeping us safe, and the organizers for throwing an amazing community gathering!
It felt like freedom had pulled up a lawn chair, grabbed a plate, found some shade, and said, “I’m gonna stay out here for a while.”
Kenny Robertson, an educator and comedian, is a native of Ridgeway.