Soul of the Southside Juneteenth 2026 South Minneapolis Festival Recap

Soul of the Southside Continues to Grow as a Juneteenth Tradition in South Minneapolis

Contributing writer Prescott Jones reports on the fifth annual Soul of the Southside Juneteenth festival along the Lake Street and Minnehaha corridor in South Minneapolis, where founders Emmanuel and Fancy Duncan reflect on how a one-time event became one of the Twin Cities' most beloved Juneteenth traditions, drawing thousands of residents, vendors, artists and families.

What began as a one-time Juneteenth celebration has become a community tradition that continues to bring together thousands of residents, businesses, artists, and families from across the Twin Cities.

From One-Time Event to Annual Tradition

Held June 19 along the Lake Street and Minnehaha corridor in South Minneapolis, Soul of the Southside once again transformed the neighborhood into a hub of culture, commerce, music, and community connection.

Festival founders and directors Emmanuel Duncan and Sarah “Fancy” Lanier-Duncan said the event was never originally intended to become an annual gathering.

“Soul of the Southside actually started as a one-time event,” the couple said. “At the time, we were preparing to open The Legacy Building and wanted to create a Juneteenth celebration that reflected our values of Black joy, creativity, community and connection.”

The response from the community quickly changed those plans.

“People showed up in such a powerful way and immediately started asking, ‘We’re doing this again next year, right?'” they said. “What began as a one-time celebration evolved into an annual tradition and a reflection of what can happen when people come together and build something collectively.”

A Festival Rooted in Belonging

Since its inception, the festival has expanded from a neighborhood gathering into one of the area’s largest Juneteenth celebrations, featuring live entertainment, local vendors, food, family activities, healing spaces, and community resources.

For the Duncans, the event is rooted in creating opportunities for connection and belonging.

“Our vision is rooted in relationships and belonging,” they said. “We believe community-building happens when people feel seen, valued and connected to something bigger than themselves.”

That vision was reflected throughout the festival as Black-owned businesses, artists, and organizations engaged with attendees throughout the day.

Vendors and Community Members Reflect

Kenneth Scales, CEO of Bowtie Billionaire, described the event as something larger than a festival.

“Soul of the Southside was an amazing event for the family,” Scales said. “I enjoyed the love that was in the air from the amazing vendors to the live music and community. It felt like a family reunion. I’m looking forward to next year.”

Dr. Perm of Right Spot Wellness said the event created an opportunity to connect with residents while highlighting the importance of health and wellness in the community.

“This year’s Soul of the Southside was one to remember,” she said. “The Right Spot Wellness team had an amazing time providing health and wellness services to attendees while indulging in the amazing food in between treating customers. It was a great opportunity to connect with our community through care, dance, food and celebration.”

Building Black Economic Power

The founders say supporting Black-owned businesses and artists remains one of the festival’s primary goals.

“Black-owned businesses and artists are cultural and economic anchors in our communities,” they said. “When a Black business gains new customers or an artist reaches a new audience, that’s bigger than a single sale or performance. That’s community wealth, cultural preservation and creating pathways for future generations to succeed.”

Juneteenth as an Ongoing Practice

As Juneteenth celebrations continue to grow across Minnesota, the Duncans believe the holiday serves as both a celebration and a reminder.

“Juneteenth reminds us that freedom isn’t just a historical event. It’s an ongoing practice,” they said. “It allows us to celebrate our resilience, honor our ancestors and recommit ourselves to the work ahead.”

What the Next Generation Carries Forward

Looking ahead, they hope future generations leave the festival with a stronger sense of identity, purpose, and community.

“We hope the next generation leaves Soul of the Southside knowing that they belong, that their stories matter and that their dreams are possible,” they said. “Most importantly, we want them to know that community is something we create together.”

For many attendees, that sense of community was exactly what made this year’s Soul of the Southside memorable. It was a celebration not only of Juneteenth, but of the relationships, culture, and collective spirit that continue to shape South Minneapolis.

For more information, visit www.soulofthesouthside.com/.

Prescott Jones is a contributing writer for the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder.