COLORADO SPRINGS, CO — The Southern Colorado Juneteenth Festival will be relocating this year from its longtime venue at America the Beautiful Park to The Citadel, a move that organizers hope will help improve the mall’s reputation. The three-day festival, set to take place from June 20 to June 22, will be held in the parking lot outside JCPenney, facing the Babies “R” Us store.
Dee Smith, executive director of OneBody ENT and organizer of the festival, explained that the move is part of a larger effort to shift the narrative surrounding The Citadel, which has long been viewed as a crime hotspot. Smith emphasized that The Citadel needs more family-friendly events to revitalize its image and create a safer, more welcoming environment for the community.
“If we’re saying that The Citadel has a bad reputation, how are we going to fix that problem? By going in, having events, and bringing people to The Citadel, creating a safe environment for people to come enjoy themselves,” said Smith.
The mall has faced criticism for incidents of violence, including shootings, with at least three fatalities and over 20 injuries reported since 2016. In response to these concerns, Colorado Springs city leaders met with mall management in August 2024 to discuss safety improvements. These measures include better lighting in parking areas, increased security cameras, and barriers to close off the parking lots after business hours.
Councilmember Nancy Henjum, who was involved in pushing for safety upgrades at The Citadel, expressed optimism about the Juneteenth Festival’s relocation. She believes the event could help demonstrate the mall’s potential as a vibrant and safe venue for community gatherings.
“We want all of the spaces in our city to be vibrant and safe, so the more we can activate them all, the better it will be for everybody,” said Henjum.
The relocation also comes as a result of changes in funding for the festival. Last year, the city allocated $150,000 in grant money to the event from the city’s Lodgers and Automobile Rental Tax (LART). However, this year, that amount was reduced to $75,000, as the city council focused on funding events that attract tourists. Smith noted that the festival’s total cost in 2024 was approximately $254,000, with additional funding coming from sponsors.
Given the budget constraints, Smith explained that moving the event to The Citadel made practical sense. The location provides significant savings in expenses, while also offering an opportunity to host a family-friendly event that could help reshape the mall’s image.
“I don’t want nobody to come to the Juneteenth Festival that don’t want to be there. So if you don’t feel safe there, I understand it. It’s up to us to, like I said, change that narrative,” Smith added.
The festival will maintain its usual offerings, including a variety of vendors and performers. The new location outside JCPenney provides ample space for attendees to gather, enjoy the festivities, and experience a positive atmosphere at the mall.
Smith’s hope is that the festival’s success will inspire other organizations to consider The Citadel as a venue for future events, further helping to transform the space into a safe and vibrant community hub.
