WATCH: Cleveland's Juneteenth Freedom Fest brings people downtown

Source: Fox 8 News
Author: Laura Morrison

CLEVELAND (WJW) -- While Wednesday marks the official Juneteenth holiday, communities around Northeast Ohio are already celebrating, including in downtown Cleveland Saturday.

Cleveland's Juneteenth Freedom Fest took over Mall C through 8 p.m.

Performances on the main stage included Apostle Jones and Karamu House, along with various dance groups and the Cavs' 216 Sticks crew.

Food trucks and a variety of vendors also came out to help in the festivities, which commemorates the official ending of slavery on June 19, 1865, when all enslaved people learned they were free.