The rain couldn’t stop the nation’s capital from celebrating Emancipation Day with food, music, games and more on Saturday, and the festivities will continue through Monday.
Emancipation Day, celebrated on April 16, marks the day D.C. abolished slavery in 1862. The District’s joyful celebrations have deep roots dating back to the 1800s.
“It is an important day and with such festivities of the day, with it being about the District. And the people being free, before the people were actually notified, of them being free," resident Samuel Dugger said at Saturday’s events. "It’s important to bring them out here so they experience this day, so they know what it’s about. It’s about emancipation."
The festival kicked off with a parade at 2 p.m. and included a free concert and fireworks.
But for the first time, the District’s festivities will last an entire weekend, extending the family activities through Sunday at Black Lives Matter Plaza. At 9 a.m., there you'll find free fitness classes, music, praise and games for kids.
Schools will also be closed on Monday in observance of the holiday. The festival will conclude with District Day starting at 10 a.m. at the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
“Intergenerational stuff like this will let you have the older and younger crowd mixing, and like sharing their secrets and stuff like that,” resident Charles Jones Jr. said. “It’s important to keep it in the family and the community vibe.”
