Juneteenth weekend is here. Here's how you can honor this event in New Bedford.
NEW BEDFORD – This weekend the Whaling City will come alive in celebration of Juneteenth – an annual remembrance of the abolishment of slavery in America.
From street festivals to community art exhibitions, the spirit of joy and progress will be front and center as the city commemorates this momentous day.
“This year we’re hosting a space devoted to uplifting 20 local, talented, young creatives,” said Dr. Justina Perry, founder of Buy Black NB and owner of Oshun Physical Therapy & Pelvic Health in New Bedford.
“Our partner organizations for this year’s market are Our Sisters’ School and Boys & Girls Club of Greater New Bedford. E For All Southcoast is back to do what they do exceptionally well in offering business training while First Citizens Federal Credit Union offers an interactive financial workshop to our vendors.”
What is Juneteenth?
Juneteenth (aka Freedom Day, Jubilee Day, Cel-Liberation Day, and Emancipation Day) is an American holiday celebrated annually on June 19 to commemorate the emancipation of those enslaved in the United States.
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On this day in 1865, Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, rode into Galveston, Texas where they announced the end of the Civil War and the emancipation of the enslaved people in Texas.
How can you honor Juneteenth in New Bedford?
Updated due to weather. On June 16, The Rotch-Jones-Duff House will host the Buy Black NB Juneteenth pop-up vendor’s market for the third year in a row from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. (Instead of previously announced on June 17th from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.)
There will be children’s face painting, 360 photo booth, Black History trivia, raffle prizes, Father’s Day massages and live entertainment by Joaquin Santos & friends.
Vendors include: For Our God Only; Kinks Haircare; Anika Tyshia Skin care; Faith Endures by Dev; Queens Lane Collection; True Beauty Beads; Baskets of Grace; Celia’s Boutique; E Work Style Institute; Alison Wells Fine Art Gallery; Maternal Nurturing Collective; 90’s Vibe Candles; Lyte Label; PYP by Stephanie; Fusion Dolls; Cards by Cecelia; Taj Collective; Crafted by A&A; 748 Wood Designs; For the Soul HW; Pina & Bean Learn Kriolu; and Brown Suga Stationary.
Among the food trucks that will be present are: Raffa Chimi’s, Kevin’s Food Truck, and Izzy’s.
Where to celebrate in Fall River
In Fall River, a Juneteenth festival on will be held June 17, from noon to 6 p.m., at Kennedy Park. This special celebration will include entertainment and live music, art displays, re-enactors, traditional storytelling, and a variety of marketplace vendors selling one-of-a-kind products, crafts, and more.
Where else can you celebrate Juneteenth?
KIN Southern Table & Bar in Providence is hosting their third annual Juneteenth Block Party on Friday, June 16, from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. Guests can enjoy an evening of food, specialty cocktails, games, live entertainment and dancing.
What is BuyBlackNB?
Buy Black NB is a free community resource based in New Bedford that serves Black-owned businesses across the entire SouthCoast of Massachusetts.
Since its inception in June 2020, Buy Black NB has connected consumers with over 250 local Black-owned businesses.
The organization has also hosted a HERstory series amplifying the voices of Black women in business, hosted networking series and the Black Excellence Gala, fundraised for local organizations and connected business owners with opportunities as they arise including original blog content and spotlight features, according to its website.
The next event after the Juneteenth Pop-Up Vendor's Market is the Dream Makers market in July.
What is the Dream Makers market?
According to BuyBlackNB, The Dream Makers Market is a unique learning opportunity that teaches children basic market principles to help them succeed in a competitive global marketplace. The event is supported by Buy Black NB and First Citizens’ Federal Credit Union in order to encourage and invest in individuals in order to benefit the social well-being of their communities.
On Thursday, July 13, from 5 to 8 p.m. at 21 Barker's Lane (Custom House Square), the free public event features all family-friendly programming as part of the Kids Rule theme of July’s AHA! Night including music and the Art Mobile offered by the New Bedford Art Museum.
“The most powerful thing about the Dream Makers’ Market is how so many young people are encouraged to follow their dreams,” explains Melanie Howell, director of marketing and social connection at First Citizens’ Federal Credit Union, who serves as a supporter of the 2023 event.
“We are thankful for opportunities like this where we can engage and invest in individuals that contribute to the social well-being of our communities.”
Standard-Times staff writer Seth Chitwood can be reached at schitwood@s-t.com. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Standard-Times today.
This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: New Bedford, Fall River hosts Juneteenth weekend events
