The Borough of State College, the Center for the Performing Arts at Penn State, and the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau joined together to host State College’s 2024 Juneteenth block party on Saturday. The event was buzzing with local vendors, performers, and more. Our photographers were on sight to capture every angle of the excitement.

Ezra Nanes, mayor of the State College Borough, introduced the event and the organizers as the day began.

Local vendors and Black-owned businesses filled the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commons and scattered down Fraser Street.

The Marching Cobras drum line and dancers traveled from New York to perform for the crowd. The group has also performed  in Times Square and are featured in the movie “The Birdman.”

DJ Yeti had the crowd amped up until it was time for Grammy-award singer songwriter Bilal to take the stage. Bilal has been featured on songs by Beyoncé, Musiq, and Jay-Z.

A double dutch swing group kept the crowd on their feet between performances.

Juneteenth commemoration co-founder and co-chair, Leslie Laing announced the 1865 Freedom Legacy Scholarship to recognize academic achievement and community service of racially underrepresented students. Laing thanked the crowd for attending and said she hoped to see more support as such in the community.