The Weeksville Heritage Center in Brownsville, Brooklyn celebrated its 4th annual food festival this year on Juneteenth. The event highlights Black-owned businesses while honoring the traditions of Juneteenth that are rooted in food.
The food fest is held on the street in front of the heritage center and in the huge sprawling lawn on its property, turning the event into a backyard extravaganza for the neighborhood. This year’s festival showcased 29 brands offering a range of culinary bites and treats from across the Black, African, and Caribbean diaspora. Attendees feasted on barbecue, seafood, sorrel, rum cakes, ice cream, crab, fish cakes, empanadas, and plenty of vegan options.
Ariama C. Long photos
Weeksville Heritage Center Juneteenth Food Fest on Buffalo Avenue in Brooklyn. 
Photo of Crème & Cocoa Creamery at the festival. 
Musician on the drums at the festival. 
Man enjoying a dish at Weeksville Heritage Center Juneteenth Food Fest. 
Patsy’s Rum Cake mini pineapple rum cakes. 
Brooklyn Blend’s fresh coconut waters. 
Crowds of attendees to the festival dodge the heat by camping out under the tree in the back of the Weeksville Heritage Center. 
Greyz Bistro, a Caribbean fusion restaurant, on St. John’s Place in Brooklyn. 
Happy Cork, a Black-owned liquor and spirits store, offered free tastings at the festival.
The Brooklyn-based businesses included Black Nile, Virginia Smashburginia, Miss Holly’s Smokehouse, Black Rican Vegan, Breukelen Rub, The Crabby Shack, 2 Girls & a Cookshop, Jase’s BBQ, Coco Bred, Brooklyn Suya, Soul Bites, Picklejuice, Mac Shack, Lakou Cafe, Biscuits N Thangs, Lacey Burger, Angie’s Delightful Bites, Sassy’s Fishcakes, Makina Cafe, Crème & Cocoa Creamery, Doc’s Cake Shop, The Salty Heifer, Patsy’s Rum Cake, Brownstone Cheesecakes, Island Pops, Brooklyn Tea, Hibiscus Brew, Happy Cork, Brooklyn Blend, BEM | books & more.
Traditionally, Black Americans celebrated Junteenth by eating red foods and drinks like watermelon, strawberries, barbeque, and red velvet cake. This signified “resilience amid bondage.” People would also feast on foods considered to be “good luck” culturally, like collard greens and black-eyed peas, according to History.com.