Juneteenth commemorates the day in 1865 when news that slavery had been abolished reached Galveston, Texas, two years after Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863. The freed people of Galveston erupted into celebrations that day.
The following are events that mark Juneteenth, which is celebrated June 19.
Know of an event not listed here? Please email Karen Croke, [email protected] and the list will be updated.
New Rochelle, June 16-20: “Songs for Our Fathers” takes place from noon-5 p.m. June 20 and will feature Lakecia Benjamin and Shunzo Ohno, as well as New Rochelle’s own Rocky Middleton. Sharif Abdus-Salaam is hosting and DJSmithyBoy will be spinning the tunes. The day includes art exhibits, crafts workshop, African Marketplace and food trucks. City Hall, 515 North Ave. The city, in partnership with the Lincoln Park Conservancy will host events throughout the city from June 16-20. To find events, specific times and locations, go to facebook.com/TLPCJuneteenthCelebration
Rye, June 18: Join the town of Rye and the Osborn for a morning of speech, shared history and service at the African American Cemetery, 215 North Street, at 10 a.m. The ceremony will be followed by a service project. To register and find more info, go to townofryeny.com
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Tuckahoe: June 18. Juneteenth Festival will be held at Main Street Park, at the corner of Marbledale and Main Street, beginning at 1 p.m. Rain location: Tuckahoe Community Center, 71 Columbus Ave. For info, go tuckahoe.com/home/events/85916
Yonkers, June 16-18: This celebration presented by the Yonkers African American Heritage Committee includes events throughout the city including a pan-African flag-raising ceremony, music, youth activities, economic symposium, vendors, youth activities, unity worship service, and the Enslaved African Rain Garden public art project. For specific events, times and locations, go to www.yaahc.org
Mount Vernon, June 18: Celebration, hosted by the city’s Department of Recreation, runs from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. in Brush Park.
Peekskill, June 18: The 11th Annual Juneteenth Freedom Day takes place from noon-5 p.m. in Depew Park. Expect African music and dance, gospel, marching bands, food and craft vendors along with a Freedom Walk. Hosted by the Peekskill Youth Bureau, the event will be held at Depew Park, 1 Robin Drive, Peekskill. For info go to cityofpeekskill.com/home/news/11th-annual-juneteenth-celebration.
New Rochelle, June 17: The New Rochelle Public Library in partnership with the New Rochelle Municipal Housing Authority, is hosting “I Hear Music in the Air” Gospel Fest, a gospel choir concert featuring the music of PURPOSE from Bethesda Baptist Church of New Rochelle, Pastor Ronell Fuller & the Band, Promise Land Community Church Choir, and Sistas in Christ. 7 p.m. 1 Library Plaza, New Rochelle.
Ardsley, June 18: The day includes food, music, dancing, art and speakers, including local elected officials. X-Factor Marching Band will open the festivities and DJ Kasino and local food trucks will be offered into the night.5-9 p.m. Pascone Park, 638 Ashford Ave. For more info go to facebook.com/ardsleymdicommittee
White Plains, June 18: At the White Plains Library, StoryWalk: Opal Lee and What it Means to be Free: The True Story of the Grandmother of Juneteenth. 10 a.m. White Plains Public Library, 100 Martine Ave, White Plains.
Haverstraw, June 17-20: Haverstraw African American Connection hosts this weekend which begins with a flag raising and dancing under the stars at Haverstraw Village Hall, followed by the Juneteenth Freedom Day, 3 p.m. Saturday on Clinton Street, which includes a parade, kids activities, food and live music. Sunday at 2 p.m. there will Gospel in the Park, at African American Memorial Park. Go to www.thehaac.com for more info.
Spring Valley, June 18-19: Celebrate Juneteenth with kickball, music, food and more. The weekend event, presented by For the Culture, starts with kickball competition June 18, 11 a.m. in Thiells, at 106 Hammond Road, followed by its free Juneteenth Fest in Spring Valley, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Go to fortheculturefdn.org/upcoming-events for more info.
Irvington, June 18: At the Main Street School, Irvington’s third annual Juneteenth celebration, from 2-6 p.m., comes with the groundbreaking of a monument commemorating enslaved African people who lived and cleared the land to create the village. Titled “Yesterday,” the monument by Yonkers-based artist Vinnie Bagwell is the result of research that identified 14 people in records who were enslaved on tenant farms in the area. While the piece lists their names, it also honors countless others who went unnamed in records. The event Saturday is set to include a gospel choir from the Calvary Baptist Church, student art and music.. 101 Main Street, Irvington, facebook.com/CommemorateEnslavedAfricansCommittee.
Bedford, June 19: Caramoor Center for Music and The Arts presents this event which will include a performance from vocalist Jeremiah Abiah, and family-friendly activities including double-dutch, games and arts and crafts. Held in collaboration with the Town of Bedford. Begins at 3 p.m. Friends Field, Katonah. For more info, caramoor.org
Ossining, June 19: This afternoon community celebration includes local vendors, performances, special presentations, music and food. 4 p.m. Louis Engel Park, 16 Croton Ave, Ossining.
Pleasantville, June 19: The documentary on Black gay life, 1989 “Tongues Untied” uses poetry, personal testimony, rap, and performance (featuring poet Essex Hemphill and others), to describe the homophobia and racism that confront Black gay men. This film is part of the REMIX: The Black Experience in Film, Media, and Art series. 5 p.m. Jacob Burns Film Center, Pleasantville, burnsfilmcenter.org/booking/tongues-untied.
Sleepy Hollow, June 20: Philipsburg Manor will welcome visitors for Juneteenth, between 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. The historic site is a National Historic Landmark that focuses on the stories of the 23 enslaved individuals of African descent who lived and labored on the plantation in 1750Admission is by timed ticket only. 381 North Broadway, Sleepy Hollow, hudsonvalley.org
African American Heritage Festival, June 26: After a two year absence, the 36th annual festival returns to Kensico Dam Park, noon-6 p.m. with ethnic foods, poetry, music, family reunions, dance, vendors, cultural arts and crafts. Free. Go to parks.westchestergov.com for info.
