Soulfeast Week Expands Statewide, Celebrates Juneteenth with New Venues
Soulfeast Week Enters Sixth Year with Statewide Expansion and New Venues Soulfeast Week, a 10-day celebration of culinary arts and agriculture, is marking its sixth year with a major expansion beyond Central Kentucky. Centered around the Juneteenth ...
Black News 
Soulfeast Week Enters Sixth Year with Statewide Expansion and New Venues
Soulfeast Week, a 10-day celebration of culinary arts and agriculture, is marking its sixth year with a major expansion beyond Central Kentucky. Centered around the Juneteenth holiday, the event will now feature Black-owned restaurants from across the state.
Beginning June 18, Soulfeast Week will include venues such as The Melroy on Broadway, The Vine Lexington, Greyline Station, and Gatton Park, which will host the Soulteenth celebration on June 20.
For more information, visit Soulfeast Week.
Honoring History
This year’s event will also include the dedication of a historical marker honoring R.C.O. Benjamin, who was killed in 1900 at Gatton Park while working to register Black men to vote.
“It’s still a free Juneteenth festival. We want to honor history appropriately,” said Martina Barksdale, co-founder of Soulfeast Week.
Economic Impact and Community Support
Barksdale emphasized that Soulfeast Week is designed to support local businesses and generate economic activity during a slower season for the hospitality industry.
“Summer can be slow for hospitality businesses, so we encourage people to spend and celebrate the cultural significance of Juneteenth,” she said.
The event will once again feature cooking and spirit demonstrations, food trucks, and family-friendly entertainment.
This year introduces a new feature: “spirit row,” where attendees can purchase tickets to sample Black-owned beverage brands.
“We’re introducing our first-ever ‘spirit row.’ Attendees can purchase tickets to sample Black-owned brands,” Barksdale explained.
Among the highlighted offerings at Greyline Station is Sable Bourbon, co-owned by actors Morris Chestnut and Taye Diggs.
“Often, they’re right under your nose without you knowing,” Barksdale said, referring to the growing number of local Black-owned spirit brands.
Extending the Impact
Following Soulfeast Week, Black Restaurant Week will take place from June 22 through June 28, expanding to a statewide format.
Participating restaurants will feature special dishes incorporating ingredients sourced from Black-owned farms, reinforcing the connection between agriculture and culinary entrepreneurship.
“It’s about reinvesting money back into the community and people’s pockets. To date, we’ve spent over $300,000 directly with Black and brown businesses in Central Kentucky,” Barksdale said.
Looking Ahead
With its continued growth, Soulfeast Week remains a powerful example of how cultural celebration, economic empowerment, and historical recognition can come together to strengthen communities across the state.
