photos by Bill Graham / The Meridian StarMarvin Brown leads the group God Anointed through a set of gospel music during the fifteenth annual Juneteenth Heritage Festival in Meridian Saturday. 

Family fun, uptempo music and an eclectic array of food were just some of the highlights of Saturday’s Juneteenth Heritage Festival in Meridian.

The fifteenth annual event, held at Singing Brakeman Park, recognized the abolition of slavery across the South in 1865. It aimed to celebrate when Union soldiers arrived in Texas in 1865, nearly two years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, and told the slaves they were free.

“It was one of the most important documents in U.S. history and world history,” said Louis Sutton, who co-chaired the event with Craig Houston. “If not for that, we would not be here today – we would not have the opportunities we have.”

Marvin Brown and God Anointed, a group made up of Brown’s daughters and brothers, started the day with a spirited set of gospel music.

Brown said it was the Meridian group’s first appearance at Juneteenth. He appreciated the day’s historical relevance.

“To hear the history of where it all began, and to be able to travel and minister with my family, it means a whole lot,” Brown said. “And to see so many young people here, that means a lot too.”

“My father always told me, ‘never forget the bridge that brought you over’….when you think about all the people who paved the way so we could be here today, it’s awesome.”

Juneteenth was also a family affair for Preshasa Edwards of Meridian. She particularly enjoyed the music of Just Us, a group featuring some of her relatives.

“I’m having a great time,” Edwards said.

Fourteen-year-old Gregory Melton, who came to Juneteenth to sell jewelry with his great-aunt, said he enjoyed the atmosphere and the food, which he called “perfect.”

One popular food booth, Ming’s Cuisine, was manned by Delroy Ming and Denise Wright. Jerk chicken wings – made from a recipe Ming brought from his native Jamaica – was a big hit with the hungry crowd.

In addition to the food, Wright said she enjoyed the fellowship during the day.

“It’s about everybody getting together with family and friends to have a good time, ” she said.

At the Thelma’s Kitchen booth, Shawn Brown stayed busy cooking chicken, fish, sausages, cheese steaks and the Birmingham, Ala. establishment’s specialty, the monster burger.

Saturday wasn’t Brown’s first trip to the festival. He said he enjoyed the Queen City’s atmosphere.

“It’s a nice place with nice people,” he said.

The festival lasted late into the night, with several musical acts entertaining the crowd.