There was never an inkling about postponing the Dena Juneteenth celebration in Altadena this year, despite the many challenges facing the community since the Eaton fire.

Instead, a fervent pride in African American history was showcased Saturday in an outdoor fairlike celebration of the national holiday, coupled with a message of all-inclusive unity and inherent freedom for all people.

“We’ve been doing Dena Juneteenth for five years now,” said Heavenly Hughes, director of My Pride Rise, lead organizer of the event.

Officially celebrated on June 19, Juneteenth marks the moment in 1865 when Union soldiers brought the news of freedom to the last enslaved Black people in Galveston, Texas — more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed.“This is a day of liberty, a day of freedom, a day of justice, and a day of unity,” Hughes said. “With there being the “No Kings” protesting happening today, this is what it’s all about — making sure that our voices are unified. Making sure that our voices are heard.”

The Metropolitan Baptist Church hosted the event at its adjacent property on North Fair Oaks Avenue, the site of dozens of vendors, nonprofit informational booths, food, activities and a stage of live music.

“I think it’s amazing that the people of the Dena community continue to come out and celebrate through the highs and the lows,” said Melody Elle of Pasadena, a singer and owner of Melody Elle’s Art Studio. “After the devastating fires, it’s so great to see people out here and enjoying themselves.”

She noted that the Juneteenth celebration and its place as a national holiday constitute an important opportunity for young people to learn about American history.

“It’s nice to see Juneteenth is celebrated,” Elle said. “It wasn’t really talked about for my generation (but) for this younger generation that’s coming up, they can learn about themselves.”

Young people were at the center of the celebration, with My Pride Rise contributing $50,000 in scholarships to graduated high school seniors from the area. Photographs were taken, awards granted, and, in between, musical numbers performed by various artists had the crowd dancing and sometimes singing along.

“These kinds of community events are so important, as we’re trying to keep the bonds of our neighborhoods sustained, even while people are displaced,” said John Mayo of Altadena, who is leading a group called Altagether, which organizes neighborhood block captains to help residents stay in touch with what’s happening.

His was one of several informational booths at the event.

Kelvin Turrentine, 54, who grew up in Altadena and still calls it home, praised the celebration.

“It’s lovely,” he said. “I’m enjoying it. I’m seeing people I played baseball with when I was seven-years old.”

Zariah Horton of Sunland, owner of Hibiscus Hawaiian, was one of the product vendors on hand, selling Juneteenth-related merchandise, including shirts, flags and jewelry.

A member of the Al-Taqwa Mosque in Altadena, which was lost in the fire, Horton has spent a great deal of time in the area these last five months helping with the rebuild.

“Honestly, this to us feels like a day of celebration and a day to be out,” she said. “We’re kind of out and proud as Altadena, as black Americans.”

“The fact that Juneteenth is a national holiday — that’s huge,” Horton said. “It’s really huge for us.”

Skughofey Earl of Altadena, a co-organizer of the event, said that even with the fire, it never occurred to them to cancel the event.

“There was never a thought about canceling this,” he said. “We have it every year (and) we’re here to stay and we’re not going anywhere. Altadena strong.”

Likewise, Hughes described the celebration and holiday as a day to symbolize the unity of the community following the Eaton fire.

“It’s a day of resilience, a day of wellness, a day of joy, a day of knowing that we will rebuild and we stand together,” she said.

Jarret Liotta is a Los Angeles-based freelance writer and photographer.