Milwaukee first celebrated Juneteenth in 1971, making it home to one of the oldest and longest-running annual Juneteenth celebrations in the United States. This celebration featured local vendors and community gatherings. By 1972, Northcott Neighborhood House organized a street festival in the Harambee neighborhood to reconnect and revitalize Milwaukee’s African American community.

Over the decades, Milwaukee’s Juneteenth celebration expanded significantly. It now includes parades, music, food, speakers and cultural performances, drawing over 170,000 participants annually. The parade is traditionally held on Martin Luther King Drive, lasting from morning to late afternoon, and is recognized as one of the largest Juneteenth parades in the country. The event honors the legacy of slavery, celebrates African American culture, and highlights ongoing struggles for racial justice and equality.

The VET Zone was created in 2022 as a way to provide recognition and support to the men and women who have been a part of the military. This zone also features a number of local agencies/organizations that provide support to veterans. This also includes some active and reserve military units. This year's zone will feature over 14 agencies and organizations. Here are some photos from last year celebration.