7th annual Juneteenth Jubilee returns to Conner Prairie

Submitted

Fishers High School’s Fishers Black Leaders Club (FBL), with support from Fishers Arts Council and Conner Prairie, will present the seventh Juneteenth Jubilee at Conner Prairie from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, June 19.

This free-to-the-public annual student-managed event features Black-owned businesses, visual artists, culinary artists, community resources, as well as talented performing artists. Thank you to title sponsor, MIBOR Realtor Association, for making this event possible.

Entertainment sponsors, Accent Coatings and Mays Chemical, help bring to the stage national touring artist B.I.G.S.T.E.V.E 513, local recording artist Skypp, spoken word artist Angela Barnes, along with returning Jubilee favorites: Erick Oneal Fisher and Deezy Not Nice. DJ Mr. Kinetik serves as the emcee for the event to keep the celebration moving. The Black National Anthem, “Lift Every Voice and Sing” by J. Rosamond Johnson and James Weldon Johnson, will be performed live by Abigail Ngene at 5:20 p.m.

Juneteenth Jubilee has been created and organized by students from Fishers High School’s FBL club since 2020, and this is the fourth year it will be held at Conner Prairie. Last year more than 2,000 individuals enjoyed the Jubilee with their families. Juneteenth is an important celebration for the students of FBL at Fishers High School.

“Juneteenth marks the celebration of freedom for many African American people,” said Gianna Fowler, one of the student organizers. “It celebrates liberty and independence.”

Sondos Mertami sees how history is shared through the day.

“Juneteenth is important to the Fishers community,” Mertami said, “because it brings people together and raises awareness of the holiday allowing people to learn about the history behind it!”

This year’s Jubilee includes a variety of activities for all ages, including an interactive drum circle with Joyful Noyze, face painting, bounce houses, and yard games – all for free. Vendors offer a wide selection of items from jewelry to baked goods, bodycare to clothing, art, and more.

“There’s a little bit of everything,” Fowler said, “and this is a great opportunity for the community to come together.”

Conner Prairie will also provide semi-guided tours to select areas during the event. Community resources and nonprofits at the event include Fishers Health Department, Hamilton East Public Library, Fishers PRIDE, and the Institute for Quality Education.

“Conner Prairie is proud to work alongside of the Fishers High School Fishers Black Leaders and the Fishers Arts Council for another exciting Juneteenth Jubilee,” said Ryan Spencer, Vice President and Chief Programs Officer at Conner Prairie. “Uplifting talented students in our community while celebrating Juneteenth with our African-American community is a privilege and joy.”

Fishers Arts Council Executive Director Les Reinhardt said, “Having the opportunity to work for these incredible student leaders is an inspiration. We are proud to support these students and the amazing event they create for the community year after year. They decide what will be offered, coordinate with the vendors and entertainment, create educational materials, partner with businesses, and fundraise. It’s truly amazing to see the power of what our youth can make happen in Fishers.”

The arts council has been working with the FBL Club students on the event every year since they were first invited back in 2022.

About Fishers Arts Council
Fishers Arts Council is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization whose mission is to support, advocate, and cultivate visual and performing arts opportunities that educate and/or enhance the lives of those who live, work, and visit Fishers.