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According to the National Museum of African American History and Culture, Juneteenth (June 19) is “a time to gather as a family, reflect on the past and look to the future. Discover ways to celebrate this African American cultural tradition of music, food, and freedom.”
Historically Juneteenth began in 1865 when Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and informed the enslaved African Americans that the Civil War had ended and they were free. It has been celebrated for more than 150 years. Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021. Because it falls on a Sunday this year, the federal holiday will be observed the following day, Monday, June 20.
This year, a number of local celebrations are being held around the county, including these:
White Plains Juneteenth Parade and Festival (White Plains) The White Plains Parade kicks off on June 11 at 11 a.m. on Mamaroneck Avenue. The festival begins at Noon and runs through 5 p.m. on Court Street in downtown White Plains. It will include a Tribute to Harriet Tubman. You can view the Harriet Tubman: The Journey to Freedom Statue at Renaissance Plaza on Main Street through June 30. The bronze statue by artist Wesley Wofford is nine feet high and over 2,400 pounds. White Plains Mamaroneck Ave and Court St wpbid.com/events/juneteenth-parade-and-festival/
Celebrating the Significance of Juneteenth (Greenburgh) The Town of Greenburgh celebrates its third annual Juneteenth Celebration on June 17. The festivities begin with a flag-raising at the Greenburgh Town Hall at 5 p.m. Follow the Motorcade to Park Webb Field where the festivities continue at 6 p.m. Music by Jeriko will be part of the evening which includes special guests and food. Admission is free. 177 Hillside Ave Greenburgh www.greenburghny.com
Juneteenth: Access for All Celebration (Peekskill) Presented by Sun Health River, this free concert will include musical performances by Ray Blue, KJ Denhert, Acute Inflections and Bria the Artist. According to Hear It There, “In addition to some incredible performers, the evening will highlight the role of our diverse and dynamic Founding Mothers and our ongoing, mission-driven work on equality and health care justice. As an organization founded by Mothers in response to inequality and lack of access to quality health care, we can think of no better way to honor those values and history, that Juneteenth commemorates than to share this expressed freedom.” Free tickets need to be reserved. Paramount Hudson Valley Theater 1008 Brown St Peekskill paramounthudsonvalley.com/events/
Celebration of “Yesterday” Irvington’s event, presented by the Irvington Juneteenth Committee, on June 18 includes a groundbreaking ceremony for the “Yesterday” sculpture done by artist Vinnie Bagwell. The piece was commissioned to commemorate the lives of the enslaved Africans who lived in what is Irvington today. The groundbreaking is at 3 p.m. The event begins at 2 p.m. in the Main Street School parking lot. The events include African music, drummers, and dancers from Nkumu Katalay and The “Life Long Project” Band, Afro-Caribbean food, artists, craft vendors, crafts for kids, and student art. Historians will be on hand to share Irvington’s history of slavery and the newly discovered enslaved African burial ground in Irvington. Main Street School 101 Main St Irvington
Juneteenth Celebration 2022 The celebration, which is presented by Ardsley Multicultural, Diversity and Inclusion Committee, begins on June 18 at 5 p.m. The evening will be filled with food, music, dancing, art, and speakers. DJ Kasino and X-Factor Marching Band will be on hand as will local food trucks. Pascone Park 638 Ashford Ave Ardsley www.facebook.com/ardsleymdicommittee
A Day to Energize and Recognize (Katonah) Celebrated in collaboration with the Town of Bedford, A Day to Energize and Recognize brings internationally acclaimed recording artists to Caramoor. Abah will perform a soulful set at 4 p.m. on June 19. The festivities begin at 3 p.m. with family-friendly activities, including Move and Groove, Sound Art, and an opportunity to tell your story. The event is free and open to all ages. Caramoor 149 Girdle Ridge Rd Katonah caramoor.org/event/celebrate-juneteenth-summer-2022
Multiday celebrations in New Rochelle and Yonkers The cities of New Rochelle and Yonkers are having multiday celebrations. In New Rochelle, Songs for Our Fathers: Juneteenth Celebration 2022 begins on June 16 and concludes on June 20. Locations vary. Attend an international concert, go for a trolley tour of the Black Enclaves narrated by City Historian Barbara Davis, see the documentary Leveling Lincoln, and more. In Yonkers, the Annual Citywide Juneteenth African Heritage Festival Weekend 2022 runs from June 16 through June 19. The breadth of events ranges from a conference to athletic games and family activities to a unity worship service. Visit the Enslaved African Rain Garden public art project or the flag-raising.
A media specialist in the education and not-for-profit sectors, Patrice Athanasidy has written in the Hudson Valley for over 25 years. A Bronx native, she loves exploring all the Hudson Valley has to offer from parks to theaters to historic places. Athanasidy is an adjunct professor of communication at Manhattan College and also an alumna. Now a resident of Westchester County, she is a wife and mom of three grown children and has written columns about living fa
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