About 2,000 people turned out last year for the Juneteenth celebration at the Madison Heights Civic Center Park, and organizers are hoping to attract even more celebrants to the annual event next week.

Lifelong Madison Heights resident Kevin Wright and his wife co-founded the Madison Heights Citizens United (MHCU) nonprofit that has hosted the annual Juneteenth event since 2021.

That’s the same year that Juneteenth National Independence Day was officially declared a federal holiday to be celebrated June 19 as a commemoration of the ending slavery in the U.S.

The Madison Heights celebration “has kind of turned into a regional event,” Wright said. “The audience is really diverse and people come from all over the metro area.”

The event in Madison Heights, now in its fourth year, is from noon to 6 p.m. on Saturday, June 15.

Last year, the volunteer MHCU group added a food truck rally with about a dozen trucks all owned by Black operators, he added.

“It’s a big drawing card,” Wright said. “Our goal every year is to make (the event) more impactful.”

The upcoming event includes live music, multiple activities and a tribute to Opal Lee, a 97-year-old retired school teacher commonly known as the “Grandmother of Juneteenth.”

Alexander Durden, an award-winning actor and vocalist, will present the tribute to Lee, who’s years of advocacy was a prime mover in Juneteenth becoming a federal holiday.

Live performers this year include headliner The Smoke Jones Heart & Soul Big Band and other acts that will honor the diverse contributions African Americans have made to American music and culture.

Other performers include steel pan soloist Quinton Robinson, Detroit Funk band Groove Fellowship and popular cover band Kayfable: The Ppls Band.

Wright said the food trucks will include a vegan option for the first time, and also offer everything from Caribbean and soul food to ice cream and elephant ears.

“There will be a climbing wall from the Oakland County Parks and Recreation again this year,” he said, “and shopping with over 60 vendors, which include some community resource groups at informational tables.”

Vendors will be selling crafts, jewelry, clothing, beads, gourmet popcorn, face painting, candles and books, among other items.

“We’ll also have a bounce house, a petting zoo and pony rides,” said Wright.

The 25-foot climbing wall, bounce houses, petting zoo, pony rides and craft for families and children are all free.

An eight-station educational exhibit will have informational displays dealing with such historical highlights as life in Africa before enslavement, the Atlantic Slave Trade, the history of Juneteenth and the Civil Rights era.

Donations and dozens of volunteers make the event possible, Wright said, adding that the mission of the festival and the MHCU is to bring awareness of Juneteenth to Madison Heights and neighboring communities.

More information about the Juneteenth event in Madison Heights is available at madisonheightsjuneteenth.com.