‘It’s about time:’ Hundreds celebrate Juneteenth parade, festival

Sounds of bagpipes, revving three-wheelers, soul and funk music and stomping cheerleaders rang out in Northeast Portland’s King neighborhood Saturday morning as more than 500 people led a parade down Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, celebrating the city’s 50th annual Juneteenth Oregon festival.

This year marked several firsts for Juneteenth Oregon: the first festival in-person since the outbreak of COVID-19, the first time hosting a two-day festival and the first time the day is celebrated as both a federal and Oregon state holiday.