Event Information

Juneteenth Festival 2025


Age: All ages

Event Programs & Series: Arts Juneteenth Watkins Regional Park

Come celebrate Juneteenth!

Join us and celebrate the oldest nationally observed commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States!

Juneteenth marks the day the last enslaved people in the United States learned of their freedom. On this day, we commemorate this event nationwide as people come together to enjoy food, music, and the arts while learning about the history of the African American people, their culture, and achievements. Bring your family and friends for an afternoon of celebration!

Featuring live entertainment, arts activities, food and shopping exhibitors, history exhibits, and more.

<strong> Entertainment </strong>

Featuring performances by:

cece peniston
junkyard band
the brencore all-star band
soul messengerz

CeCe Peniston [HEADLINER]

Cecilia Veronica “CeCe” Peniston (born September 6, 1969) is more than just a singer—she’s a force of nature whose voice has uplifted, empowered, and inspired millions around the world. From the moment she burst onto the music scene in the early 1990s, CeCe has been an undeniable presence, blending powerhouse vocals with an infectious energy that continues to light up dance floors and hearts alike. Her breakout anthem, Finally, became a global sensation, reaching No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 2 in the UK Top 75. More than a hit, the song became a declaration of joy and self-discovery, an anthem for anyone who has ever longed for their moment to arrive.

CeCe’s career is marked not just by chart-topping success but by unforgettable moments that speak to her impact beyond the music industry. She has performed for legends like Aretha Franklin, sung at the Vatican for Pope John Paul II as part of Sisters of Glory, and graced both inauguration ceremonies for President Bill Clinton. She made history as the first foreign female entertainer to perform in post-apartheid South Africa, using her voice not only to entertain but to unite. Known for her stunning vocal range—spanning five to seven octaves—CeCe’s voice isn’t just heard; it’s felt. Her influence has earned her a place among the greatest.

Junkyard Band

Originating as a “bucket band” of young kids from Barry Farm in Southeast DC in the early 1980s, Junkyard Band grew to become one of the most important artists in the evolution of Go-Go music. 

Originally the band worked with found and handmade instruments and relied on commanding attention in public places. They took Go-Go out of the ballroom, stripping it down to its bare bones and non-stop percussive heart.  They also added the now-common front line of three vocalists, each with a distinct role and style.  On top of that, their original and biggest mainstream hit, “Sardines/The Word”, brought a new level of political consciousness to DC’s hometown beat.

The enduring popularity of Junkyard’s joyously raw sound gave rise to a whole generation of hardcore and crank performers who have carried Go-Go into the 21st century.  Through it all and even today, JYB remain beloved and in-demand entertainers.

Brencore Allstars Band

The BRENCORE ALLSTARS BAND is a tremendously talented 8 to 14-piece musical anomaly from Washington, DC comprised of music dynamo’s that bring a depth, richness and appreciation to all audiences.

The variety and range of songs performed in a series of medleys and powerhouse songs will have you singing and dancing to your favorite songs all night long. The BRENCORE ALLSTARS Band has performed many Tributes and has sold out many venues such as The Historic Howard Theatre, The Carlyle Club, The Roanoke Rapids Theatre, The Bethesda Blues and Jazz Supper Club with plans to showcase the musical genius of the BRENCORE ALLSTARS in many more locales

The delivery, the energy and the powerful voices of the BRENCORE ALLSTARS Band never disappoints. Diverse audiences from 300 miles in any direction around and near Washington, DC area have snapped their fingers, tapped their toes and been musically transported to a time when the music of the some of the greatest artists graced the stage and wooed audiences across the globe!

Thank you to our Main Stage Sponsor:
A&E Healthcare Services, Inc.

Find out more at aehealthcareservices.com

<strong>Activities </strong>

More information on the 2025 activities coming soon. Potential and past activities include: 

History Experiences

  • Hands-on Activities
  • Immersive History
  • Live Demonstrations

Art Activities

Create your own work of art with Arts on a Roll!  

Arts on a Roll is M-NCPPC’s mobile art service, offering unique theatre, dance, music, and visual arts workshops for the young and young-at-heart!

Spray Paint Graffiti Wall Group Murals with artists from Words Beats and Life! 

About the organization: We are unapologetic advocates for the transformative power of Hip-Hop culture in all its forms, empowering artists to relentlessly create and refine systems that demonstrate positive change through our individual and collective brilliance. We embrace the sacred nature of our work and our roles as keepers and innovators of our culture. 

Move and express yourself with dancers from Taratibu Youth Association! 

About the organization: Taratibu Youth Organization provides transformative experiences through performing arts for the youth of the African Diaspora, cultivating socially responsible change agents within the Pan-African community and beyond. 

<strong>Artist Feature</strong>

2025 Artist Feature

LUTHER WRIGHT

Luther Wright’s artistic practice is characterized by his multidisciplinary approach and his passion for creating surface and wall murals using various mediums. As a muralist, Luther has transformed public spaces with his vibrant and captivating artworks. His murals can be found in numerous states and throughout the DMV area, leaving a lasting impact on the communities they adorn.

In addition to his mural work, Luther also leads and participates in various community art projects and activities. He believes in the power of art to bring people together, spark conversations, and inspire positive change. Through his community involvement, Luther strives to create opportunities for artistic expression and engagement, fostering a sense of belonging and cultural enrichment.

Luther’s artistic journey as a full-time artist spans over seven years, during which he has established studios in Brent Wood and Hyattsville, Maryland. This dedicated focus has allowed him to delve deep into his craft, continuously evolving and exploring new artistic territories.

One of the defining aspects of Luther’s practice is his refusal to limit himself to one particular style or medium. He embraces the freedom to experiment and push artistic boundaries, constantly seeking new ways to express his ideas and visions. This approach not only keeps his work fresh and dynamic but also allows him to adapt and evolve as an artist.

Luther’s creative practice is a testament to his adventurous spirit and his unwavering commitment to artistic exploration. Through his multidisciplinary approach, community engagement, and willingness to embrace artistic diversity, Luther continues to leave a remarkable mark in the world of visual arts.

Past Artists Include:

jeffrey felten-green

Jeffrey Felten-Green is a Cheverly, MD Artist, and Founder of “I DO MY THANG”. He has been painting since he was a child, growing up in the 1970s and the 1980s, in his hometown of Hartford, CT.

He was educated in fine arts through his college coursework at Eastern CT State and Central CT state universities and later finished his bachelor’s degree at Loyola University of Chicago in Communications, but never left the world of art. He continued to paint and create crafts that focus on, and pays homage to, Africa and African-American traditions.

Jeffrey Felten Greene’s paintings and crafts appeal to his own sensibility of what art is. Unfortunately, if he were to be forced to create a particular item or to create art in a particular mode, the magic would be lost for him.

Many of his ideas are satirical, playful and at times, serious. They are snapshots of everyday life, or a life he conceives within his imagination.

He loves bright colors, as well as to evoke a mood for the observer and to never tell the same story twice. He also does not believe in being restricted by labels, styles or methods.

Arvid Lee

Arvid Lee has over 15 years of experience using different techniques to design, create and sell stained glass panels for homes and businesses. He strives to create the unpredictable and intriguing in his work and loves to use strong lines and thought-provoking color combinations to achieve edgy and inspiring stained-glass pieces. Influenced by the world around him, stained glass is like life, always moving, with changing hues and color values throughout the day, from dawn to dusk.

<strong>Participating Vendors</strong>

More information on the 2025 activities coming soon. Potential and past activities include: 

2024 Food Vendors

2024 Nonprofit Vendors

2024 Merchandise Vendors

2024 For-Profit Exhibitors

Past vendors include…

Food Vendors

  • Jammin’ Flava // 240.360.9084 
  • Happy Hippo, LLC // @happyhipposhavedice // 301.304.6640 
  • MarCello’s Grill // 240.271.0541 
  • Helping Hands // Leah4nurses@gmail.com // 240.593.7755 
  • Smoken Lo BBQ // 240.393.6691 
  • Lattimore’s Funnel Cake // 301.775.7371 
  • RTA Culinary Service // Rtalves1212@gmail.com // 757.447.1233 
  • The Tender Rib // 301.509.2904 
  • Dogs on the Curb // 202.256.6889 
  • Kona Ice of Calvert Co. // 443.432.8699 
  • JFY Carnival Creations // @jfycarnivalcreations // 301.440.9588 

Merchandise Vendors

  • Delkis Collections 
  • Authentic African Clothes/Screen Print 
  • Sweet Splendor Bath and Body 
  • Bath and Body Products 
  • Camella’s Kitchen 
  • Carribean Sauces 
  • Qualitees plus 
  • Dubo 
  • Tee Shirts 
  • Yortones Books 
  • Yoruba Sound Book for Children 
  • All Eyes on Me Eyewear 
  • Specialty Eyewear 
  • Bougie over Everything 
  • Calming Sense Bath and Body 
  • Bath and Body Products 
  • Karen’s Essentials 
  • Bath and Body Products

Non-Profit Vendors

  • The League of Women Voters of Prince George’s County 
  • Prince George’s County Memorial Library System 
  • Prince George’s County Truth Branch of ASALH 
  • Young Women of Society. Inc.