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With two blocks of Adeline Street closed to traffic, music echoing from both ends of the street and smoke from barbecues filling the summer air, Juneteenth was in full swing Sunday afternoon. 

Juneteenth is the oldest known national celebration of the last slaves being freed. It was June 19, 1865 that the Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas with the news that the slaves had been emancipated. This weekend marked the 14th consecutive year that it was celebrated in Berkeley, making it the oldest Juneteenth Festival in the Bay Area. 

Between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m., thousands of people celebrated Juneteenth by wandering along Adeline Street between Alcatraz and Ashby avenues while they were entertained by live music, good food, games and street vendors. 

The festival attracted many different people from the community, including Berkeley Mayor Shirley Dean and members of the Golden State Warriors basketball team. 

At the north end of the Festival grounds, the Oaktown Jazz Workshops Stage was set up. Throughout the day, different musical acts performed, including the Berkeley High Jazz Combo and two bands from the Oaktown Jazz Workshops.  

At the other end of the street was a main stage, which attracted a slightly larger, older audience. It featured all sorts of bands, including the George Hubbard Big Belly Blues Band from Oakland. 

“It gets more joyous to play at this festival each time,” said Hubbard, who was performing at his third consecutive Juneteenth Festival. “Especially when you get to play on a stage in front of a large crowd like this.” 

Pete Escovedo was another musician to play at the large stage. Local Jazz pianist Ed Kelley and the Berkeley Steppers also performed on the stage. 

However, the two stages were not the only places where audiences took in music. Several bands and musicians set up along the street and played. 

Another feature of the Juneteenth Festival in Berkeley that always attracts an audience is the youth two-on-two basketball tournament, now in its sixth year. The tournament, affiliated with the Berkeley late-night basketball league and Athletes United for Peace, attracted a growing crowd throughout the day. 

“It is always nice out here,” said Doug Harris, executive director of Athletes United for Peace and the basketball tournament’s director. “It’s Father’s Day, so families come out here with their kids. This is like the annual Father’s Day part of our program. The kids really love it.” 

There were activities for children of all ages, including a giant Teaco Slide, a Fiesta Jump – an inflated room for kids to jump in – and many games offering prizes. 

There were a number of food tents specializing in barbecue and fried fish. Vendors also sold jewelry, clothing, artwork and other goods. 

The Adeline-Alcatraz Merchants Association established the Berkeley Juneteenth Festival in 1987, and it has grown every year since. There are over 20 cities in California alone celebrating Juneteenth this year.