Fort Worth resident Devika Lyles laughs as her umbrella is pulled by the wind while wearing Juneteenth face paint for the Freedom Vibes Juneteenth Block Party in Fort Worth on Saturday, June 21, 2025.
Chris Torres
ctorres@star-telegram.com
The aroma of smoked turkey legs floated through the air as hundreds gathered along Evans Avenue in Fort Worth to celebrate Juneteenth at the Freedom Vibes block party Saturday afternoon.
Allen Washington of Ali Turkey Legs DFW prepares an order of turkey legs during the Freedom Vibes Juneteenth Block Party in Fort Worth on Saturday, June 21, 2025. Chris Torres ctorres@star-telegram.com
Food trucks and vendors lined the street while families laughed and danced under the radiant Texas sun. One could smell the sweetness of fried funnel cakes, creating a sensory celebration of culture and freedom.
Fort Worth resident Devika Lyles laughs as her umbrella is pulled by the wind while wearing Juneteenth face paint for the Freedom Vibes Juneteenth Block Party in Fort Worth on Saturday, June 21, 2025. Chris Torres ctorres@star-telegram.com
Smooth jazz echoed from the stage and off the historic brick buildings as children danced while elders nodded their heads and smiled. The music, like the event, felt both joyful and deeply rooted just as the significance of celebrating in Fort Worth’s Historic Southside.
Dione Sims, the granddaughter of Opal Lee, walks with her granddaughter Zoe Rowland, 6, and her husband Robert Sims while he’s carrying their grandson Robert Rowland III during the Freedom Vibes Juneteenth Block Party in Fort Worth on Saturday, June 21, 2025. Chris Torres ctorres@star-telegram.com
Evans Avenue, long a cornerstone of Fort Worth’s African American community, now hosts a renewed community spirit with the future National Juneteenth Museum anchoring its legacy.
On this day, past and present met in celebration, honoring generations who made freedom a lived reality.
Allen Washington of Ali Turkey Legs DFW, left, serves former Master Sgt. Jerome Smith, right, an order of turkey legs during the Freedom Vibes Juneteenth Block Party in Fort Worth on Saturday, June 21, 2025. Chris Torres ctorres@star-telegram.com
Event attendees walk down Evans Avenue for the Freedom Vibes Juneteenth Block Party in Fort Worth on Saturday, June 21, 2025. Chris Torres ctorres@star-telegram.com
Chris Nettles, the District 8 City Councilman, speaks to the event attendees gathered for the Freedom Vibes Juneteenth Block Party in Fort Worth on Saturday, June 21, 2025. Chris Torres ctorres@star-telegram.com
