SAN ANTONIO — One of San Antonio's largest Juneteenth celebrations was supposed to be an indoor-outdoor event on the east side.
Then came the rain.
Organizers had to move to plan B, bringing all vendors inside.
Earlier this year, inclement weather forced the cancellation of another major San Antonio event: the nation's largest MLK march.
The Juneteenth Freedom Coalition prepared a back-up plan to ensure Wednesday's festivities would still go on as planned.
"I'm grateful for the rain. It came on the wrong day, but that's ok! We're still gonna celebrate!" said vendor Tiffany Joseph, owner of The Ear Kandy Shop.
Gripping an umbrella to shield from the wind and rain, families filed in Second Baptist Church off East Commerce to celebrate freedom.
"They've been coming in all day. We sit out here and watch them," said Edward Ashford, operating the only booth outdoors selling BBQ from his family business.
The Juneteenth Celebration Organizer, April Winn, said she was ready to pivot for any type of weather event.
"I always do a plan B," said Winn. "We know June is mostly hot and we are praying for rain. We had rain this time."
Winn did what she had to do and brought all vendors inside the Second Baptist Church Community Center.
Inside, visitors were greeted with music, dancing and spoken word. The event, which ran from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. featured an all-day lineup of performers.
"My grandmother, Mama Boone ...she used to take us all the time," said local musician, Styllust Soul, who rocked the stage Thursday. "She has really engraved it in us. Every year we'd go with her and she'd do things for the community."
Bantu Poet, Rasul Amenhotep, offered his artistry through spoken word. He says he began writing poetry in elementary school and only began sharing it with the public about 20 years ago. In 2011, his poem 'Freedom Cafe' was printed in UTSA's Poetry Anthology. Amenhotep also wrote a Juneteenth poem for his Alma Mater, St. Philip's College.
"When I start writing it just comes through. It's almost like my ancestors speak through me or the Most High speaks through me," Amenhotep explained. "Normally when I do 'Slave Ship', the first one I [recited], I actually feel the pain and it brings me to tears."
Click the video below to watch Amenhotep recite his original poem "The Freedom Cafe".
Outside the colors of the official Juneteenth flag, many wear the colors of the Pan-African flag on the holiday. Each color has its own meaning.
"Normally people are wearing the colors yellow, black, red and green," said Joseph, who sold out of her handmade red, black and yellow earrings within 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, in the parking lot of the community center, Ashford and his grandson, Christian Ashford, kept the BBQ sizzling.
"Yoakum sausage, then we've got two whole briskets over there that we're chopping down for everybody," said Christian, pointing to the smoking pit.
The Ashfords set up tents next to their BBQ pit to shield customers from the rain.
"This is Texas. You're gonna get [rain]!" said Edward.
"You never know when you're gonna get it," Christian added. "We're fully-stocked. I'll go out and grab some more if I have to!"
It doesn't matter if it's drizzling. If it's June 19, the Ashfords' BBQ will be sizzling.
"If we don't enjoy [Juneteenth], who else is going to enjoy it?" asked Edward, who made it to the Juneteenth celebration despite getting two flat tires on the way.
In a recent session, San Antonio City Council recognized the importance of Juneteenth by bringing up members of the Juneteenth Freedom Coalition to the podium.
Thursday's event followed Sunday's Juneteenth Festival, hosted each year at Comanche Park #2.