LARGO, Fla. — A beautiful morning for a bike ride on Saturday made even more beautiful by the meaning behind it for those who came out to celebrate Juneteenth.

It was a Largo event that kicked off with a bike ride on the Pinellas Trail at 7:30 a.m. followed by a community fish fry.

“Juneteenth means that we’re free,” said Geneva Waters, a participant.

Free, now, for 155 years. Free to ride 10 miles along the Pinellas Trail. Juneteenth is a day that marks the end of slavery in Texas 155 years ago. For decades, black Americans celebrated June 19 to honor the closing of a horrific chapter in American history, to celebrate Black achievements, and to reflect on what still needs to be done to realize true racial equality.

For many, it means they are free to celebrate the obstacles black Americans have overcome in throughout history.

“We just know what our ancestors went through back in the day, all about the friend of the slaves and the announcement coming through. That’s why we’re here,” said participants Clara Hendrix and Clarethia Monroe.

Free to teach their children about the history that shaped life as we know it.

“It’s so important this day in age that at this time, young people know where they come from and where all this started from,” said Tiffany Brown, organizer.

Not just that they received the message, but that they are proud of it.

“We’re celebrating black history. Our freedom. And we need to celebrate that,” said 16-year-old Isaiah Lawson.

While trying to keep the event positive, organizers also say they hope this will inspire young people to move forward and continue to fight for justice and equality for all.