MILWAUKEE - Milwaukee-Juneteenth festivities got off to a safe start Tuesday morning. Things were peaceful as hundreds of people came out early to celebrate the historic festival.

Some of the attendees expressed concern about the ugly brawl that broke out as the festival ended last year. Police were determined to cut down on violence at this year's festival. The event, which marks the day when the last slaves learned of their freedom, runs from 9 a.m.- 6 p.m. along Martin Luther King Drive. 

"Disruptive behavior is not wanted, and it will not be tolerated," said Police Sergeant Richard Kelly.

Last year, at the very end of the festival, things got out of hand when some people took down a tent and used the poles to beat each other. Milwaukee police officers wore riot gear to break up the fighting and disperse the crowd. This year, police are handing out community information bulletins and letting festival-goers know that violence will not be tolerated. The goal, according to Sgt. Kelly, is that "everybody be able to enjoy their freedom, be able to come out and enjoy themselves in a peaceful manner."

  Police Community Information Bulletin

Business owners along MLK Drive feel concerned about the upcoming festival. Several businesses plan to close Tuesday, including the Cellular Superstore. "We were thinking, actually, to open," said Adham Awadalla. "But I don't think, after the experience we had the last couple of years, it's not worth it."

The Milwaukee Juneteenth Festival is sponsored by the Northcott Neighborhood House. The organization will have its own security personnel in place to deter violence in addition to the Milwaukee police personnel.

Organizers say this year they have learned from past mistakes.

Mack Weddle, the president of Juneteenth told TODAY'S TMJ4 that in past years as many as 80,000 people attended the festival. He is expecting another big turnout this year. Weddle said he is confident he has put enough safeguards in place to make sure things remain calm all day.