Juneteenth will be celebrated at these Eastern Shore events with parades, food and fun

Join Delmarva in celebration of Juneteenth, short for June 19, as communities around the nation come together to recognize June 19, 1865, a key day in history when many enslaved African-Americans learned of their emancipation.

Here's everything you need to know about this year's Juneteenth festivities taking place on the Eastern Shore.

Salisbury

The city of Salisbury's sixth annual Eastern Shore Juneteenth celebration is set to take place on Saturday, June 17, from 1 to 6 p.m. in downtown Salisbury.

The city will host a parade, which is slated to begin at 1 p.m. at the Main Street Plaza, with the festival beginning immediately after along North Division Street.

The Eastern Shore Juneteenth Festival & Parade is organized by Eastern Shore Juneteenth, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based on the Lower Shore of Maryland. Eastern Shore Juneteenth aims to bring the community together to celebrate Black culture and achievement, provide community education on Black history and the ongoing struggle for civil rights, and create a safe space for Black creativity and expression.

Princess Anne

Local residents and partners are working together to host the the 3rd annual Princess Anne Juneteenth Celebration on Saturday, June 17, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event will kick off at 11 a.m. with a Juneteenth Parade along Somerset Ave. The parade will begin at Antioch Avenue and end at Manokin River Park, located at 11840 Somerset Ave.. Once at the park, the Juneteenth Celebration will continue until 5 p.m. Admission is free.

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The celebratory event will feature information about the history of Juneteenth, and include prayer, poetry, music and dancing. More than 30 local vendors and organizations will have exhibits set up throughout the park. Scheduled speakers included Kirkland Hall and Kadeem Turnbull. Children’s activities are also planned.

All members of the community are welcome to participate. Event-goers are encouraged to bring chairs and blankets and picnic in the park. Food will be available for purchase and hot dogs, buns, chips, and drinks have been donated by the Princess Anne Police Department to help provide free meals for children.

Pocomoke City

Join the Sturgis One Room School Museum for a Juneteenth celebration block party filled with food, fun and fellowship on Saturday, June 17, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 209 Willow St. in Pocomoke City.

Everyone is invited to this free event featuring tours of the Sturgis Museum, a bounce house for kids, music by DJ Rob Little, and food including fried fish and fries by Unionville Lodge #45. Guest speakers include Sharnell Tull, a.k.a. Sista Big, local pastors and more.

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Sidewalk vendors will be selling baked goods, tie-dye apparel/face masks, jewelry, clothing, Mary Kay, Scentsy, gift baskets and more. Vendors are still being accepted, and registration is open at sturgisschoolmuseum.com/events.

The Sturgis One Room School Museum is the only African-American One Room School in Worcester County retaining its original integrity. This event will bring together descendants of Sturgis students, past and present board members, as well as community partners.

Snow Hill

Gear up for Snow Hill's third annual Juneteenth Freedom Walk and Celebration. Travel through the town and learn about significant African-American landmarks, then celebrate with free food, music and games at Byrd Park on Saturday, June 17.

Registration begins at 8:30 a.m., and the walk at 9 a.m. at Byrd Park, 400 Dighton Ave. The walk is sponsored with partners Snow Hill United, Worcester County NAACP and African American Heritage Society of Snow Hill & Surrounding Areas.

The celebration, following the Freedom Walk, is set to take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event is free to the public. More information can be found here.

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Exmore

Festivities for Northampton County’s annual Juneteenth celebration are set to kick off in Exmore on Saturday, June 17, with a fun and information-filled day centered on cultural pride, community and ideas for healthier living.

Activities in the Exmore Town Park will begin at 10 a.m. with a wide array of health exhibits and free medical screenings offered by local health providers. At noon, the gala Unity Parade will begin proceeding down Main Street from the intersection of Route 13 and Main Street to the Town Park.

For those interested in participating in the parade, marchers and vehicles will assemble in the parking area of the Fresh Market Plaza, located on Route 13 (Lankford Highway) in Exmore before advancing down Main Street to join the music, food vendors, games and other activities happening in the park.

Headlining the live entertainment this year is the Bridge Band RVA, known for their classic R & B and for “Connecting People with People.” This is a family-oriented celebration of diversity and inclusion, free to attend and open to everyone. Free parking will be available at the Exmore Town Park.

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Olivia Minzola covers communities on the Lower Shore. Contact her with tips and story ideas at ominzola@delmarvanow.com.

This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: Here's everything you need to know about 2023 Juneteenth festivities