Shanty Mann, Kaitlyn Presha, 11, Tyanna Mann, 8 and Tyrone Mann attended the event to support its organizer and Tyrone Mann's cousin Gwendalyn Fleetwood.
Photo by Ian Swaby
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The Juneteenth celebration is held each year in Newtown, bringing many local businesses in the community together.
However, Natasha Clemons, a participant in the event, said she wishes something like it could happen every month.
"This community has lots of money, but when it comes to Juneteenth, we really come together, and it's really, really special," she said.
Clemons was present on behalf of her son Rodney Mitchell, who was killed in 2012 during an altercation with police. She said the community has been through a lot, and she was glad to see members support one another.
The festival, held in honor of the holiday on June 19 commemorating the end of slavery in the United States, featured businesses offering cuisine, products and treats to help people cool off from the heat, drawing participants from Newtown and beyond.
"I love it, and it doesn't matter what race, creed, or color it is," Clemons said. "We all support each other, and that's what I love about it. I like it when other races come into our community, and see that it's nothing negative about it, that it's all love, so that's what really excites me."
Keanna Newman and Fayth Jenkins stay cool under an umbrella.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Lanora Smiley and Gina Beckum enjoy the festival.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Stephani Bryant and Qua Davis take a walk through the festival.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Ace Hood, 6, tosses a football while he walks alongside Modesty Williams.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Raneka Smiley and Tikki Randall try to stay cool.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Tegan Salem, 8, works the counter at Hot Day Juice Stand.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Tori Collins of Conch Collins cooks a pot of conch balls.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Beaute Martin, 12, and Kailani Bowman, 9, run through the festival area.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Tegan Salem, 8, works the counter at Hot Day Juice Stand.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Tina Caldwell and Brenda Mays stand by the sign of Mays Court, a now-demolished residence in Newtown that was established by Brenda Mays' family, who she says are some of the first settlers in Sarasota's original Black community of Overtown.
Photo by Ian Swaby
April Glasco, founder of Second Chance Last Opportunity, holds some of her books.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Destine Johnson and Kelsey McCants supported the New Manatee Broncos cheerleaders.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Asiyah Hadley and her cousin Caleb Austin founded Cousins' Sweet Spot.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Former mayor Willie Shaw shakes hands with Ladream Saunders.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Lou Murray shows his support for the Ghana team in the FIFA World Cup.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Conch balls simmer at Conch Collins.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Lakieffa Nickens of Keke's Kreations produces custom-made items, and showcased some she created for the event.
