Muskegon 2nd annual Juneteenth parade

MUSKEGON, Mich. (APN) — Michelle Tyson is uplifting her community with Muskegon’s second annual Juneteenth Community Parade and Festival.

“The lady that put the idea in my head and told me she had faith in me to put this together, she just passed yesterday and this Juneteenth will be very special to me. I want to make sure I’ll be able to smile on her face,” Michelle Tyson, founder and CEO of Taking Back Muskegon, said.

Taking Back Muskegon is a youth organization that positively impacts and supports local students. On top of her other duties in the community, Tyson has been hard at work upgrading this year's Juneteenth festivities.

“We are having vendors! So that is going to be wonderful. I have two young ladies who volunteered their time to become sponsors to help decorate this year the trailers for the kids with balloons. So I’m super excited about that," Tyson said.

"Lecia Designs is one and then Unique Customs Designs is also another. And I’m so grateful to both of those women for volunteering because we do have a Mardi Gras theme this year. You know we want to have fun with it this year.”

Volunteers are still needed.

“To help put up parking signs and I am looking for two more people to help drive the trucks as well for the trailers for the kids,” Tyson said.

The parade and festival will feature local celebrities you don’t want to miss.

“We have the Muskegon Heights homecoming queen and she will be our Juneteenth queen this year,” Tyson said.

And a great lineup for the opening festivities.

“I have Ronald Walker who is in the service as well, an army serviceman coming and singing the Black National Anthem. He is also a Muskegon Heights graduate as well,” Tyson said.

Tyson’s community and family will be celebrating their heritage and in what they say is a monumental moment with the parade's grandmasters being pastor Arthur Durr and his wife, along with Willie Burrell doing an opening prayer.

“It’s going to be a family affair because both of these young men are my cousins and it is an honor to have your family just backing you up and supporting you, you know because in a momentous history-making moment because this is not for just another event to put on," Tyson said.

"This is something for the history because for years and years, we have been in one area. Muskegon Heights has always sold everything Black and one area...in Muskegon Heights. When we asked to put this parade downtown, that was something…history for us and that is thanks to Miss Patsy Petty for that.”

Gemini the Poet will share a poem, and families can see churches, sororities, and fraternities march in the parade with a final surprise performance at Hackley Park.

There will be over 1,000 Clovers custard desserts, Checkers is bringing out their fry cart and much more.

“This is something I never imagined I ever in this world could do, but I’m glad God chose me. I’m glad Mrs. Patsy put it in me and entrusted me to make it happen. So that is a big honor for me. So Mardi Gras time in Muskegon that’s all I can say. We are going to have a good time,” Tyson said.

The Muskegon Juneteenth Community Parade and Festival will start on Western Street and head down Clay Street. People are encouraged to park on side streets near 1st, the library or the museum. The event is from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“If you are in the area and the surrounding areas and you’re looking for a Juneteenth event, come on and help us celebrate. Help make this the best Juneteenth possible, especially in the memory of Miss Patsy Petty. We all loved you, I loved you, and I’m ready to party. Let’s celebrate,” Tyson said.