What is Juneteenth and where are local celebrations in South Jersey?

Celeste E. Whittaker, Cherry Hill Courier-Post
·4 min read

Juneteenth, which has been referred to as Emancipation Day, Freedom Day, Jubilee Day and more, celebrates the end of slavery in the United States.

Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas and announced the end of the civil war and the end of slavery on June 19, 1865. While the Emancipation Proclamation had been issued more than two years earlier on Jan., 1, 1863, many enslavers ignored the order, so Juneteenth became the symbol which represented African American freedom.

The Emancipation Proclamation promised freedom to more than 3.5 million African Americans enslaved in Confederate states, but wasn't enforced until those states came under Union control.

In 2021, President Joe Biden signed legislation that made Juneteenth a federal holiday. At the state level, at least 22 states, including New Jersey, Delaware and New York and the District of Columbia, have designated Juneteenth as a permanent paid and/or legal holiday.

Linda Shockley, president of the Lawnside Historical Society, says that despite festivities surrounding the holiday in recent years, its origins are still misunderstood by the general public.

Linda Shockley, President of the Lawnside Historical Society, stands by the Peter Mott House, a Lawnside historical site and a stop on the Underground Railroad.
Linda Shockley, President of the Lawnside Historical Society, stands by the Peter Mott House, a Lawnside historical site and a stop on the Underground Railroad.

“When you talk about making Juneteenth a celebration throughout the nation, very few people understood the origins of it or understood that people in Texas had not been informed of the Emancipation Proclamation,” Shockley said previously.

Here are some local celebrations going on:

Burlington Freedom Day, Burlington Riverfront Promenade, Burlington City

CHAI Community Development Corporation's Burlington Freedom Day 2023: A Juneteenth Celebration starts Jun 17 from 2 to 7 p.m. with music, food trucks, vendors, kid’s zone, crafts, games, performances and more. The kid's zone includes free lunch and free crafts.

On June 18, the celebration concludes with "Praise on the Promenade: A Gospel Music Celebration," which will include varied performances, special guests, food, and music. The timeframe is also 2 to 7 p.m.

Camden Juneteenth Weekend Celebration, Camden

On June 17 and 18, Camden Juneteenth Weekend Celebration will feature live entertainment, vendors, food, fun, a kid zone, crafts, games, free lunch and more. The June 17 date (1 to 7 p.m.) will be held at Wiggins Waterfront Park and the June 18th date will take place at Farnham Park from noon to 8 p.m. and will include live performances, including gospel and R & B music, spoken word, African dance and drum and more.

Did you know this history? What happened to the dozens of Black towns that once existed in South Jersey?

Cherry Hill Juneteenth parade and festival, Croft Farm

The Cherry Hill African American Civic Association, Cherry Hill Township, and Cherry Hill Police Department join together to host the third annual Juneteenth Parade and Festival on June 17 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.at the Croft Farm in Cherry Hill.

The parade will kick off at 10 a.m. There will be over 40 vendors showcasing art, candles, wellness items, T-shirts, handbags, and jewelry. Food offerings will be available as well as a lineup of performers.

Health screenings and mobile clinics will be available.

The historic Kay Evans House at Croft Farm in Cherry Hill is shown. Thomas Evans, a subsequent owner, was an active Quaker abolitionist “who used the property as a station along the Underground Railroad."
The historic Kay Evans House at Croft Farm in Cherry Hill is shown. Thomas Evans, a subsequent owner, was an active Quaker abolitionist “who used the property as a station along the Underground Railroad."

Mount Laurel Township Juneteenth Event, Laurel Acres Park.

From noon to 3 p.m. on June 17, the township will feature historical exhibits, educational information, local vendors, live music, food trucks and more.

The Timbuctoo Historical Society will present information on the settlement of Timbuctoo, which was formed by formerly enslaved and free African Americans. There will be a performance of “If These Stones Could Talk”, a historical reenactment based on the life and family of William Still.

Activities will include bounce houses, jewelry making, rock painting, face painting, and more.

Lawnside hosts Juneteenth 5K run/1 mile walk, Lawnside

The event beings at 8 a.m. on June 17 at Wayne Bryant Community Center in Lawnside.

Sicklerville celebration, New Brooklyn Park

On July 17 from 7 to 11 p.m., the Juneteenth celebration will take place with a live musical performance from Motown Review.

Willingboro Juneteenth Celebration, Millcreek Park

This year's celebration will be held June 17 from noon to 4 p.m., at Millcreek Park. Festivities will include a cultural celebration and activities for the entire family to enjoy, as well as food and music.

Juneteenth in Moorestown, Perkins Center for the Arts

The annual Juneteenth event will be held on June 17 from 2 to 7 p.m. at Perkins Center for the Arts in Moorestown. The celebration will include music, a bounce house, food, dance, discussion, artisans and more.

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A Juneteenth celebration sign is shown in historic Whitesboro, located in Middle Township in Cape May County. The town was founded in 1901 by African Americans and is also the hometown of Stedman Graham, longtime beau of media magnate Oprah Winfrey.
A Juneteenth celebration sign is shown in historic Whitesboro, located in Middle Township in Cape May County. The town was founded in 1901 by African Americans and is also the hometown of Stedman Graham, longtime beau of media magnate Oprah Winfrey.

This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: What is the meaning of Juneteenth and where to celebrate locally