Haynes-Apperson, Juneteenth share space as crowds enjoy music, parades, and more

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June was filled with festivals in Kokomo. No sooner had people digested their shortcakes from the Strawberry Festival, they were faced with another weekend of celebrations with the 50th annual Haynes-Apperson Festival and Juneteenth occupying Foster Park and the courthouse square.

Thousands gathered in the city center to experience fair food and games, amusement park rides, live music from well-known bands and local artists, antique and classic automobiles, and the signature parade that had everyone feeling like a kid again, whether they were marching down Main Street or sitting on the sidewalk to watch the procession.

The celebration was a bit different this time around, as the Haynes-Apperson moved up two weeks to accommodate conflicting schedules with bands and the rides. That put the big event smack in the middle of Juneteenth.

But the two celebrations existed together sufficiently, giving the crowds a chance to learn a little about Juneteenth while enjoying all the festival had to offer and the parade at the same time.

Unfortunately, one can have too much of a good thing, which was in evidence over the July 4 weekend. Stars, Stripes, and Summer Nights, a special version of First Friday to celebrate the nation’s 250th birthday, was largely ignored by the community. The streets were bare, and the booths were scattered around an empty courthouse square.

The Freedom Walk that followed event was similarly thin, as mere dozens traveled to Kokomo Municipal Stadium for a baseball game that was called due to rain. The stadium did manage to follow through on its fireworks display, rewarding those who were willing to get a bit wet.

The Howard County Historical Society fared much better, as hundreds attended its ice cream social early in the day and took advantage of free admission to the county museum to celebrate the local community and its history. And Greentown commanded a crowd for its fireworks display, deftly dodging the storms that put a damper on early evening activities.

This week offers a short reprieve to the manic pace of celebrations this summer, but the Howard County 4H Fair begins July 13. Once again, the community will gather for food, fellowship, and fun. Watch the Kokomo Lantern for information regarding that week-long summer tradition.

See additional photos from Juneteenth and the Haynes-Apperson Festival and parade, courtesy of Adam Hartsough, on the Lantern’s Facebook page.