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The Juneteenth Freedom Heritage Festival at the Ogden Amphitheater will be celebrating its 23rd year on June 15, 16 and 17.
According to a press release: Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, is a holiday in the United States honoring African American heritage by commemorating the abolition of slavery in the U.S., and is recognized as a state holiday or state holiday observance in 41 states. The three-day event at the Ogden Amphitheater will combine great entertainment with community outreach information, children's activates and lots of great food. The entertainment for this year's event is being produced by the partnership of producer Toby Martin and the Ogden Amphitheater. Martin, who also produces the Utah Reggae Festival and the Utah Irish Festival, has produced dozens of concerts in Utah, including Joan Jett, Nelly, Slightly Stoopid, The Wailers, and Robert Randolph. For this year's Juneteenth celebration he has assembled more than a dozen bands, including Friday's headliner Chali i2na and artists from all over the country to be part of Saturday's tribute to Motown. "There will be lots of local performers, some of whom have never performed on a big stage," said Martin. "When you combine them with acts like Chali 2na from Jurassic 5 and H.I.S.D, both of whom have performed at Sundance, you have something very special. One thing is for sure, the music will never stop."The Juneteenth festival is organized the Project Success Coalition.Last year the festival ran for just two days, but drew more than 3,000 attendees.
Actor Leon Robinson, who has starred in such movies as "Cool Runnings," "Above the Rim," and "The Five Heartbeats," will host the Saturday night lineup, while Salt Lake radio station U92 will host Friday night.
The Sunday schedule is a Gospel Celebration with the best voices in Utah being joined by gospel saxophonist Darrel Barnett.tickets price for Juneteenth are $10 at the door or at SmithsTix.