Strong winds blew across Waltham Common as members of the community gathered to celebrate Juneteenth, a federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States and honoring Black freedom, history and culture.

The Juneteenth celebration, hosted by the Waltham Boys & Girls Club, began at 11 a.m., with tables and activities were set up across the Common. Families could enjoy slushies from Z-n-Z Slushies and More, while children took part in activities, including a crafting station and a colorful inflatable bouncer.

Music featuring Black artists played over the speakers throughout the event. Volunteers danced on the grass as children and parents joined in.

Invited to speak was Anita Hill, the Brandeis professor famed for testifying about alleged sexual harassment by US Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas in the 1991 Senate confirmation hearings. Hill read an excerpt from “Ida: A Sword Among Lions,” a biography of Ida B. Wells, an investigative journalist, civil rights activist and suffragist.

Through the reading, Hill emphasized the importance of celebrating Juneteenth and remembering the people in American history who fought against slavery and injustice.

“It is a reminder, one, that the country can change, but also a reminder of the harsh nature of slavery, and how we shouldn’t just think it’s all over. Emancipation isn’t just an act of one day. It takes decades and decades for emancipation to be real,” Hill said.

For attendees, the celebration was also a way to reflect on the meaning of Juneteenth with their families and the broader Waltham community.

“We celebrate every year. We do a couple of activities. We come out in the City of Waltham and do like this year’s activity in the park, and then, we usually go to a celebratory event — that’s where they explain more about the whole purpose of Juneteenth,” Patrick Palmer said.

“I am here, [at Waltham Common], today to celebrate Juneteenth and interact with other members of the community,” Chio Yokose said.

Families also highlighted the importance of Waltham recognizing Juneteenth and hosting community celebrations.

“I think it’s a day that acknowledges and celebrates a lot of members of our community, and that Waltham should do more to uplift our immigrant and Black American and BIPOC community,” Zoe Reiches said.

“I am pleased by the continuity that Waltham has brought to the table,” Stephond Goler said. “I think that in the future, I would personally, and I think the community, would like to see a larger celebration.”

This is the fourth year the WBGC hosted the Juneteenth gathering. Executive Director Erica Young said the idea for the event came from the organization’s goal of recognizing holidays through education and community building.

“We wanted to do more for education and community building, and so those three events are Juneteenth, MLK Day and Indigenous Peoples’ Day,” Young said.

When considering ways to celebrate Juneteenth, the nonprofit worked to make the event community-centered, fun and accessible.

“[The block party idea] is the best way to celebrate, have joy around us, support local businesses,” said Madison Falzon, director of program operations at WBGC. “And so we want to just get people on the Common, right in the middle of the city — very visible to everyone and very accessible to everyone.”