All are welcome to celebrate Juneteenth Winooski 2021!
June 19, 2021 5pm
Rotary Park, Winooski, VT
Rain location: The Monkey House, 30 Main St, Winooski. All plans will move forward rain or shine!
For full details, visit http://downtownwinooski.org/juneteenth/
Juneteenth commemorates an important date in history. The Emancipation Proclamation was made January 1, 1863, in the westernmost Confederate state of Texas, enslaved people would not be free until much later. The news finally came on June 19, 1865, when Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas. The army announced that the more than 250,000 enslaved Black people in the state, were free by executive decree.
"Defying confusion and delay, terror and violence, the newly "freed" Black men and women of Texas, with the aid of the Freedmen's Bureau (itself delayed from arriving until September 1865), now had a date to rally around. In one of the most inspiring grassroots efforts of the post-Civil War period, they transformed June 19 from a day of unheeded military orders into their own annual rite, "Juneteenth," beginning one year later in 1866." — Henry Louis Gates, Jr.
We are hosting a Juneteenth event to acknowledge, educate and celebrate the importance of Juneteenth. Though this holiday has long been celebrated by African Americans, many people are unaware of it's importance. Vermont did not officially recognize Juneteenth as a holiday of observance until 2007 and it was just made a national holiday in 2021.
Juneteenth Winooski celebrates and honors Black freedom and joy in all forms. Juneteenth Winooski is an inclusive, all-ages event that is free and open to all who want to attend. The event will feature speakers, poetry, dance, music performances and opportunities to visit different vendors and activity areas throughout the park. We also encourage attendees to visit downtown businesses as many are featuring Juneteenth cocktails and other specials to mark the occasion.
On Stage:
Craig Mitchell (DJ set)
Yasamin Gordon (Welcome speech)
Wajanja Boys (dance performance)
Bonne Idee (singer/performer)
Jon Francois from The Anything Show
Craig Mitchell (acoustic set)
Abizo (aka Aymard Math, rapper)
Melonie x Craig Poetry Experience
Headliner Myra Flynn
Vendors and Activities:
Winooski Library (setting up mini library, card sign ups)
Winooski Strong + Downtown Winooski (merchandise and materials)
Vermont PBS (kids activities)
Vermont Department of Health Walk-Up Free Vaccine Clinic
Free Commemorative Juneteenth Winooski Stickers
Juniper Creative – Live Mural!
Questions regarding this event can be sent to info@downtownwinooski.org
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