One of my favorite holidays, Juneteenth, is right around the corner. Also known as “Freedom Day,” it signifies a crucial time in American history. This holiday, established in Galveston, Texas, in 1865, is a celebration to commemorate the emancipation of those enslaved. I love entertaining, but a Juneteenth celebration is very special to me as an African American.
There are some specific holiday traditions, but it’s also about drawing closer to your own roots and family history. As a family of Lowcountry natives it’s important to bring in my Southern heritage into a Juneteenth cookout. The holiday also leads into the summer season, so new outdoor furniture and decoration was in order, and I knew I could turn to Tractor Supply to make it memorable.
Growing up, my father was always on the farm or in the garden. I enjoyed helping out where I could, and our father/daughter excursions for supplies always led us to Tractor Supply. Now I take my two little ones to gather outdoor essentials, decor, and fun kids books. Of course my son always adds to his toy collection when we go. This time a yellow John Deere toy
I wanted to host a Juneteenth cookout to pay homage to my own family ancestors as many were farmers and landowners. We went on the hunt for new grill accessories, picnic furniture, and I couldn’t resist picking up a few new table decorations from Red Shed by Tractor Supply.
Creating an inviting outdoor setting is crucial when entertaining, beautiful yet functional seating with decorations that tie in the holiday. Durability is important with two little ones so I picked up a Picnic Table with bench seating. Designating areas for playing and eating helps to avoid any accidental messes. I always add holiday specific books and toys for the kids and even adults to enjoy. As a special American holiday, we chose a color scheme of red, white, and blue with Southern elements like gingham print and wire baskets that reminded me of picking vegetables with my father.
We love BBQ so we added prosperity foods to our menu for good luck, including pork ribs and links, which are delicious from the grill. No Juneteenth Cookout celebration would be complete without serving “red drink,” which can be made from hibiscus, fresh berries, or even red soda. Red is important to Juneteenth as it represents the ancestors, their resilience and bloodshed. Fresh fruits and red velvet desserts are a delicious way to incorporate the color accented by red roses displayed in a ceramic planter.
The best part of celebrating Juneteenth is gathering together with family, sharing old memories, and making new ones. I hope my own celebration gave you a few ideas to help you plan your own Juneteenth outdoor experience, including getting any outdoor supplies and decor at Tractor Supply.
***Disclosure*** This post was sponsored by Tractor Supply. All opinions are my own.
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