Marcher Victoria Crosby sprays water during a Juneteenth event at Washington Square Park in Salt Lake City on June 19, 2021. Annie Barker, Deseret News
Utahns gathered at Washington Square in downtown Salt Lake City on Saturday to celebrate Juneteenth.
The event, which included a march, a vendor market, live music and performances, commemorates the arrival of federal troops in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865, to take control of the state and ensure that all enslaved people were freed.
On Thursday, President Joe Biden signed into law legislation to make Juneteenth a federal holiday. The legislation passed overwhelmingly in the House of Representatives and by unanimous vote in the Senate.
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Rae Duckworth, center, leads the march and dances during a Juneteenth event at Washington Square Park in Salt Lake City on June 19, 2021. | Annie Barker, Deseret News
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Marchers get sprayed with water to help keep cool during a Juneteenth event at Washington Square Park in Salt Lake City on June 19, 2021. | Annie Barker, Deseret News
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Kevellin Sanders, right, makes balloon art for Micaiah Newton, 7, left, and Zindzi Newton, 9, center, during a Juneteenth event at Washington Square Park in Salt Lake City on June 19, 2021. | Annie Barker, Deseret News
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Natasha, who declined to give a last name, left, and Rae Duckworth listen to the crowd during a Juneteenth event at Washington Square Park in Salt Lake City on June 19, 2021. | Annie Barker, Deseret News
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Marchers cheer during a Juneteenth event at Washington Square Park in Salt Lake City on June 19, 2021. | Annie Barker, Deseret News
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A dog sticks his head out the window of a vehicle leading a march during a Juneteenth event at Washington Square Park in Salt Lake City on June 19, 2021. | Annie Barker, Deseret News
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Masey Fraiser, left, and her daughter Jada react to being sprayed with water while they march during a Juneteenth event at Washington Square Park in Salt Lake City on June 19, 2021. | Annie Barker, Deseret News
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Artists Denisse Hernandez, left, and Aztlan Colindres arrange their booth during a Juneteenth event at Washington Square Park in Salt Lake City on June 19, 2021. | Annie Barker, Deseret News
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Artist Koffi Wunaki interacts with a patron during a Juneteenth event at Washington Square Park in Salt Lake City on June 19, 2021. | Annie Barker, Deseret News
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Performer Ma Black speaks during a Juneteenth event at Washington Square Park in Salt Lake City on June 19, 2021. | Annie Barker, Deseret News
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Kevellin Sanders, center, makes balloon art for Micaiah Newton, 7, left, and Zindzi Newton, 9, right, during a Juneteenth event at Washington Square Park in Salt Lake City on June 19, 2021. | Annie Barker, Deseret News
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Child react to getting sprayed with water during a Juneteenth event at Washington Square Park in Salt Lake City on June 19, 2021. | Annie Barker, Deseret News
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Marchers dance during a Juneteenth event at Washington Square Park in Salt Lake City on June 19, 2021. | Annie Barker, Deseret News
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A man smiles while marching during a Juneteenth event at Washington Square Park in Salt Lake City on June 19, 2021. | Annie Barker, Deseret News
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Marchers dance along the route during a Juneteenth event at Washington Square Park in Salt Lake City on June 19, 2021. | Annie Barker, Deseret News
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A child sprays water during a Juneteenth event at Washington Square Park in Salt Lake City on June 19, 2021. | Annie Barker, Deseret News
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Jamie Palm pushes Ellis in a shopping cart during a Juneteenth event at Washington Square Park in Salt Lake City on June 19, 2021. | Annie Barker, Deseret News
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A marcher holds up a sign during a Juneteenth event at Washington Square Park in Salt Lake City on June 19, 2021. | Annie Barker, Deseret News
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Hannah Wilhelmsen walks her dog Charlie during a Juneteenth event at Washington Square Park in Salt Lake City on June 19, 2021. | Annie Barker, Deseret News
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Marcher’s gather during a Juneteenth event at Washington Square Park in Salt Lake City on June 19, 2021. | Annie Barker, Deseret News
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Mehkai Jones warms up and does a sound check during a Juneteenth event at Washington Square Park in Salt Lake City on June 19, 2021. | Annie Barker, Deseret News
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Neti Akauola of Pump and Pop sets up balloons during a Juneteenth event at Washington Square Park in Salt Lake City on June 19, 2021. | Annie Barker, Deseret News
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