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I really wanted to go this year... we have one of the largest festivals in the country and they have a lot of great things going on at this one. The problem for us is that it's in the absolute worst neighborhood in the city and dh insists that we can't bring the babies there. Gangs/thugs are around the area and shootings have been frequent. The mayor made an announcement that this year it's going to be safe and family oriented. I guess it wasn't in the past?!!
Ultimately we decided it would be best for our family not to go. Next year we may consider travelling to go to a safer one in another city maybe.
Are you/did you go to a festival and how was it? Is this something you celebrate in your home?
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Yes! We went to a Juneteenth event and it was great.
Could you or DH check it out yourselves to see what the "vibe" is? If it is a huge gathering, with families and security, then it might be okay despite the neighborhood. Or it might not. The mayors comment would give me pause and I wouldn't take D there without asking other parents and checking it out first. But our church is in a high-crime neighborhood and I've never felt in danger there on a Sunday morning. It's packed with families and very quiet. So it kind of depends. I don't think every city makes a huge deal of Juneteenth, so you might have to see what your options are.
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We went last year, but had other things going on and missed it this year. Our city's event was very family friendly, but it was also held in great part of town (by the zoo, in a large park, etc.). I think I would have hesitated to go if I were you unless I knew someone who had gone in the past and could give me a first hand recommendation.
Our Juneteenth was yesterday and it was fun. I have been taking the kids for the last four years know and before that went with girls I mentored. The first year I went as a white parent to an AA child was hard. I think (most) everyone meant well, but some made me defensive.
My kids have fun there and always end up meeting up with friends and leaving me by myself to mingle. I have found some good connections there.
The only hard part for me, and I don't mean to derail the thread, is that I am always looked down upon for not attending the very large black church in town(they sponsor the festival). If I were christian I would. I am not and the UU church we go to is diverse.
Also, ours is in a park in town with a bad reputation on the west (wrong) side of town. (I live on the west side, lol) It always seems to be respected. Now the culture fest we have later this summer has been known to get rowdy, I do not think there is a year that I have went that some boys or men have not gotten in a tussle.
Oceanica: I know in our city (we live in Atlanta) when there are large events like this is "sketchy" neighborhoods , there is TONS of security. Once Tasha, Julia and I had a picnic in Centenial Olympic Park on the Fourth of July and their was TONS of security and police forces making sure the event was safe. Although, I do not consider downtown the "ghetto" there are large amounts of homeless people in the area and some people are not comfortable bring their children to that area. Also, if their are large crowds of people going to this event, I seriously doubt something serious will happen to you are you're children since their would be TONS of witnesses seeing the crime. Finally, remember that crime can happen anywhere - even the "good" neighborhoods. We have had break ins and robberies happen in our area and we certainly do not live in the projects - we live in an upper middle class neighborhood. When your in the city crime can strike anywhere just use "street smarts" when you trekking around the area.