The Salt Lake Juneteenth Celebration and Black Owned Business Expo is being held today, June 19, at The Gateway in Salt Lake City. The event, which runs from noon until nearly midnight, features a celebration of Juneteenth alongside an expo for Black-owned businesses.
Event Details and Location
The celebration is located at 18 North Rio Grande Street. The event is presented by Salt Lake Juneteenth and includes various attractions, dining, and activities for attendees throughout the day.
Alpine School District Schedule Updates
In separate local news, Alpine School District issued a reminder to students that they must finalize their schedules by June 19 due to a transition from the Skyward program to the new Skywork Qmlativ student information system. The district noted that class changes may be unavailable at the start of the upcoming school year.
District Fireworks Safety Warning
The district also issued a safety warning regarding upcoming Independence Day and Pioneer Day celebrations. Due to elevated wildfire risks caused by summer drought conditions across Utah, the district prohibited the use of fireworks on all school district property to protect schools, neighborhoods, and open spaces.
Success of Santa Backyard Coffee
In Salt Lake City's Downtown Farmers Market, Marisa Martinez continues to grow Santa Backyard Coffee, a business she founded in 2022. According to The Daily Utah Chronicle, Martinez established the coffee pop-up following her interest in European coffee culture and a period of personal grief after the passing of her mother.
Mission Behind the Coffee Business
Martinez, a former hairstylist, designed the business to foster community for those who may feel like outsiders in Utah. The name 'Santa Backyard Coffee' reflects her desire to embrace her own path and move away from the cultural expectations she experienced while growing up between Mexico and Utah.
