Buffalo Juneteenth’s 2026 Gala, Parade & Festival Were Winners!

by Betty Jean Grant

Betty Jean Grant

Overall, The Juneteenth 50th Anniversary Gala, the Parade and Festival were thoroughly fantastic this year. Although there were a few minor hiccups— misbehavior from youth— people are saying they really enjoyed this year’s gala, parade lineup and the festival, with all the new additions that was youth oriented.

As much as some of us want to, Juneteenth of Buffalo Festival and its board of directors cannot control young, out of the ordinary youths, who attended the festival sorely to wreak havoc. We also cannot control the weather. The weather, with the winds, torrential rain and other storm-related problems led to the decision to close the festival early to ensure that the safety of the vendors and the festival’s attendees would be compromised. It was a tough decision, and we hope that the crowd at next year’s festival will be larger than ever.

Parents and guardians, if your family members are part of this problem, we need your help in telling your sons and daughters how lucky they are, to live in a community that cares about them so much that a big portion of our festival budget was used in making sure that there were programs and activities geared toward their likes and mindset.

Personally, as a member of this fantastic organization, this writer expresses appreciation and a heartfelt sadness to both the vendors and the community, who had the leave the park earlier than scheduled, due to the chaos and fighting among some young people seeking to destroy the sense of unity, pride, respect and love we felt toward one another and our beloved Eastside community.

As we look back in appreciation and admiration for a successful, first-ever Anniversary Gala and a Parade and Festival that will not be matched by any other community this year, let us be thankful for what Juneteenth Festival of Buffalo has achieved. Fifty years of continuous celebration of our freedom, heritage, pride and unity is a whole lot to be thankful for. Happy Juneteenth, everyone.