Auburn’s Lack of Effort Apparent at Juneteenth Fair

The City of Auburn’s Juneteenth event at Les Gove Park in Auburn, WA, promised to be a vibrant celebration of freedom and culture. Located right in downtown Auburn, adjacent to the King County Library Auburn Branch, the event was set against a backdrop that should have been inviting and accessible. My experience, however, revealed several areas that needed improvement.

Upon arrival, I found myself confused due to a lack of clear signage. My eyes naturally sought out event banners and signs, but the Juneteenth celebration lacked visible indicators. One sign was obscured by parked cars and positioned awkwardly, making it difficult for attendees to identify the event’s location. The park was bustling with the Auburn Farmers Market, which further diluted the presence of the Juneteenth celebration. The only distinguishing feature presenting Juneteenth was the red, green, and yellow balloon trellises.

Navigating through the park, the event felt fragmented. The overlap between the Farmer’s Market and the Juneteenth celebration created a disjointed experience. Clear, prominent signage at park entrances would have significantly improved the visitor experience, directing attendees to the Juneteenth festivities without confusion.

The lone Juneteenth banner at Auburn / The Evergreen Echo

Despite the initial challenges, I encountered some standout vendors. Styled Nikita Pink, run by Nikita Pink, showcased a visually inviting booth with graphic t-shirts and custom-made bling denim. Nikita, a fashion designer with a degree in the field, explained her passion for texture and mixing prints, with denim being her favorite textile. Her creations can be found on Instagram @stylednikitapink and her website www.stylednikitapink.com.

Another notable vendor was Glitz & Rose Beauty, owned by Jasmine Jones. Her booth was vibrant and eye-catching, featuring skincare products like sugar scrubs, body butters, and glazes. Jasmine handcrafts and formulates all her skincare products, also designing the product labels herself. You can find Glitz & Rose Beauty on Instagram @Glitzandrosebeauty and their website https://glitzandrosebeauty.com.

The event also featured a DJ booth, banks, colleges, bouncy houses, food trucks, and various other vendors selling items like jewelry. But the overall layout and organization left much to be desired. The narrative presented on some signage emphasized Juneteenth solely as a remembrance of the end of slavery, missing the broader celebration of Black culture and community.

In conclusion, my first Juneteenth event in Auburn was disappointing. The competing presence of the farmer’s market and the fragmented setup made the Juneteenth celebration feel like an afterthought. With more focused marketing efforts, better signage, and a dedicated event designer, the City of Auburn could significantly enhance the experience for attendees. Juneteenth is a vital cultural celebration, and it deserves the attention and respect of a well-planned event.