Rouge Park hosts Buffalo Soldiers and Blues Festival to honor legacy of all-Black U.S. Army units
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Buffalo Soldiers Of The 25th Infantry Regiment circa 1890. Photo: Fotosearch/Getty Images.
Rouge Park will host the Buffalo Soldiers and Blues Freedom Festival on Saturday, celebrating the legacy of the all-Black U.S. Army units who played a crucial role in American history.
Why it matters: The event seeks to educate Detroiters about this history while celebrating with music, food and family-friendly activities.
- The Buffalo Soldiers' contributions — from westward expansion to serving as the first national park rangers — are often overlooked.
Flashback: The Buffalo Soldiers were formed in 1866 and served in conflicts from the Indian Wars to World War II, paving the way for African Americans in the military despite facing harsh discrimination.
- The units lasted until the desegregation of the U.S. military in 1948.
Rouge Park's connection to the Buffalo Soldiers began in 2007, when the Buffalo Soldiers Heritage Association (BSHA), with support from the Friends of Rouge Park, agreed with city officials to take over the management of the Rouge Park barn.
- The Detroit Police Mounted Division had previously used the barn.
- BSHA transformed the space into a center for educating youth and maintaining the legacy of the Buffalo Soldiers.
- Today, the barn is a living museum where visitors can learn about the soldiers' history, feed the horses and participate in special activities.
What they're saying: Alex "Lex" Allen, program manager of Friends of Rouge Park, described the event as "a celebration of the community's history and its future."
- "When people think of cowboys in America, they don't typically associate them with Black cowboys," he said. "This event lets us be represented in a way that's both positive and deeply rooted in history."
Yvette Pullom-Bass, program director for Detroit Parks Coalition, emphasized the importance of educating young people and community members about horse care and offering rides to introduce them to horseback riding, much like the Buffalo Soldiers.
- "This is more than just a festival — it's a chance for people to see themselves and their community in a new light," Pullom-Bass said. "We want Detroiters to feel proud of this heritage and understand that these stories are a part of who we are and where we're going."
Zoom in: The event will take place from 1-5pm on Saturday at Rouge Park Horse Barn, 8886 Lahser Road. Admission is free.
What to expect:
- 🐴 Pony rides and tours of the Buffalo Soldiers' barn.
- 🎵 Live blues music from Big Pete and Friends, and African drumming from Nanou Djapo.
- 😋 Food options include Filipino lumpia from Marichona's Cuisine, nodding to the Buffalo Soldiers' service in the Philippine-American War.
- 🎯 Games like horseshoes and cornhole, plus booths from local organizations.
What's next: Allen wants to do more programming to build community in and around Rouge Park.