Omaha's annual Juneteenth Celebration parade had to be canceled this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Thousands line up in North Omaha to watch the parade, but this year organizers says the coronavirus has forced them to call it off.
“We know that here within our zipcode of 68110, 68104 there are a number of positive cases where we don’t want to use the NAACP and a parade to bring people together, causing folks to be exposed to the virus,” Vickie Young, president of the Omaha NAACP, told 6 News.
In place of the parade, Young says there is another way to celebrate the day. “Visit and support a black-owned business. Take your family and pick something to eat or go shopping at one of the boutiques. Spend your money supporting black-owned business.”
Young tells 6 News they hope to reschedule the parade for sometime around September. Despite the cancellation, hundreds are expected to attend an event at the Le Ventre Center Friday night in south Omaha.
Masks are welcomed and hand sanitizer will be provided. The celebration begins at five p.m. and there will be live music and free food.
(Photo: 6 News)