The annual Juneteenth event in Moscow is growing, and people involved in organizing the celebration have big goals for its future.

More than 100 people stopped by Moscow’s Friendship Square to celebrate the still-young federal holiday. It was an afternoon filled with drum circles, dancing, soul food and messages meant to educate people about the holiday’s significance.

Bex Riehm, of the University of Idaho’s Black/African American Cultural Center, said she would like to see this event expand to the rest of downtown, much like the Moscow Farmers Market.

“I know that’s like shooting for the stars, but I think it would be amazing to have a block party,” she said.

Moscow City Councilor Sandra Kelly also has visions of a larger town event.

“I am really excited to push for having this be an all-day event and closing off downtown and having our businesses celebrated on the street like we do with other events in Moscow,” Kelly said.

People from Moscow, Pullman and elsewhere were treated Wednesday to a drumming demonstration by Darryl Singleton, a professor in the Washington State University School of Music. Singleton also invited visitors to participate in a drum circle to serenade the crowd.

People lined up for free food, and visited information booths from Latah County Human Rights Task Force, the Moscow Human Rights Commission, the UI and WSU. Music blared out from the speakers and inspired a handful of people to start dancing.

Speaker James Bledsoe, a former WSU recruiter, was the main speaker. He encouraged the crowd to “reverse the effects of slavery” by eradicating the political, educational and health disparities that negatively affect people of color.

He said Juneteenth can be a “starting point” for personal growth and activism.

Juneteenth commemorates the day the last remaining slaves in Texas heard about their emancipation in 1865.

It became a federal holiday in 2021, and Riehm said many people are still learning about what Juneteenth means.

Riehm said she wants people to feel comfortable asking questions about the holiday’s significance. Riehm also wants people to feel comfortable celebrating it no matter what race they are. She said there is a misconception that not everyone is allowed to participate.

“Scratch that, throw that away,” she said. “No, we want everyone to be happy. We want everybody here to celebrate.”

Kelly said she is not surprised by the large turnout in Moscow, and believes that is why there is still room for Juneteenth to grow.

“If you give the Palouse region a chance to celebrate diversity, they’re going to,” she said.

Kuipers can be reached at akuipers@dnews.com.