Voices of History Street Fair Celebrates Culture and Community at the National Great Blacks In Wax Museum
Eboni YahudahBaltimore comes alive this summer with the annual “Voices of History” Street Fair, hosted by the National Great Blacks In Wax Museum. This free public event celebrates arts, culture, health, and community, welcoming families, youth, and local creatives for a day of fun and learning.
The Street Fair started in 2015 as the end-of-year celebration for the Growing Griots Literacy Learning Program, a long-time initiative supported by the museum. Over the years, it has grown into a yearly celebration honoring Juneteenth, Pinkster, and the Museum’s anniversary, highlighting the creativity, wellness, and resilience of Baltimore’s Black communities. This year, TEACH, DiscoverMe/RecoverMe, and Growing Griots serve as lead partners, providing programs and resources that engage attendees of all ages.
Event Details:
The Voices of History Street Fair will be held on June 27th at The National Great Blacks In Wax Museum,1601 E North Ave, Baltimore, MD 21213, from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM. This free public event is open to all, so come celebrate culture, history, and community with us!
Honoring Heritage: Juneteenth and Pinkster
The fair also celebrates two important traditions in Black history. Juneteenth, on June 19, marks the day in 1865 when enslaved African Americans in Texas finally learned they were free. Today, it is a national celebration of freedom, culture, and community achievement.
Pinkster began as a Dutch spring festival and was brought to the Americas. Enslaved Africans adapted it into a time for music, dance, and community gatherings. “Both Juneteenth and Pinkster celebrate freedom, joy, and cultural resilience, connecting present-day communities to ancestral traditions”, says DiscoverMe/RecoverMe coFounder Dr. Mama Deborah Pierce-Fakunle.
Music, Youth Performance, Vendors and Food
The fair features live music, dance, and spoken word. This year, the Voice of History Youth Ensemble, created in mid-2025 and first performing at the museum’s 2025 Kwanzaa celebration, will perform alongside local artists. Their performances bring energy and creativity, showing how history and culture are alive today. Children and teens can also join interactive workshops in storytelling, crafts, and music, blending education with fun.
Visitors can browse the vendor marketplace, which features local artists and entrepreneurs selling crafts, artwork, and handmade goods. “The Street Fair is a place where culture and business meet,” says Dr. Joanne Martin.
Local vendor in the street fair’s community resources vendor market.
Photographer: Black Mission Media
Food is a major part of the celebration. Black-owned vendors offer dishes from traditional soul food to modern creations. “Every dish tells a story,” says Festival Coordinator Doralee Fakunle. “Food is culture—it connects people to family, community, and history.”
The Street Fair includes a Children’s Area with games and creative activities. Informational booths provide health and community resources. The event is part of the museum’s Existential Determinants of Health (E.D.O.H.) Initiative, which uses arts and culture to help Baltimore residents navigate and heal from trauma. “We want this event to uplift, educate, and heal,” says Redmond.
Voters Registration
This year we will also have a voters’ registration booth. We invite the community to register.
Explore the Museum and Expansion Plans
During the fair, the National Great Blacks In Wax Museum will be open for walk-in and group tours. Guests can view the new wax figure of Henrietta Lacks, honoring her contribution to medical science and research that continues to save lives. Discounted museum admission available.
