Foods of Freedom: Juneteenth as a Culinary Tourist Attraction

Abstract

Juneteenth originated in Texas as an African-American celebration of the end of slavery. As participation and interest has increased, this celebration has taken on broader functions, serving as homecoming and community celebrations. It is argued in this article that Juneteenth also functions as a culinary tourist event, with barbecue being the major draw. Barbecue has been attributed to African-American slave cuisine and features prominently in Juneteenth celebrations. Research was conducted in Manhattan, Kansas in 2004 and 2005. Participant observation, interviews, and archival/textual analysis were used to demonstrate the importance of barbecue as a regional food tourism attraction.