Huge Juneteenth Celebration Planned In West Hartford Saturday, June 14

Town of West Hartford

WEST HARTFORD, CT — People and families are invited to come to West Hartford Saturday, June 14, for the town's fifth annual "Juneteenth CommUNITY Celebration."

The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the West Hartford Town Hall parking lot, rain or shine. The town hall is located at 50 S. Main St.

While the celebration is June 14, the actual federal Juneteenth holiday is June 19, and it commemorates the day the last slaves learned of their freedom following the abolition of slavery during the Civil War.

Event organizers say guests can expect a day of inspirational messages, music, vendors, art, and activities for all ages.

The festivities kick off at 11 a.m. with African music and dance by Friendz World Music.

Event speakers include Bobbi Brown, president of the Bridgeport NAACP, and founder of 100 Girls Leading.

Latoya Fernandez, founder of Beyond Circles Restorative Practices and West Hartford Board of Education member, will emcee the celebration.

West Hartford Mayor Shari Cantor and West Hartford Councilor Carol Blanks will share reflections on the importance of celebrating this federal holiday.

Connecticut Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas will also share her thoughts on the importance of Juneteenth and civic engagement.

Music and dance performances include the Queen of Summer Concerts, Latanya Farrell, Friendz World Music, beats by DJ B-EZ, Studio 860, Jazz musician, Haneef Nelson Trio, R& B Vocalist, A. Marquis, Hula Hooping by Hood Hula, and student performers Lyric Bryant (Hal) and Emma Billings (Conard), as well as, former student Kayshawn Savage (Hall), Emma Billings (Conard) will sing the Black National Anthem.

Join the Rise UP for the Arts Crew to create one-of-a-kind artwork for Juneteenth.

Meanwhile, young and old alike can participate in a hula-hoop contest.

Guests will be able to visit over 30 vendors, including Julian Wattson’s table, to explore what makes a community through conversation and grab a book from the Beyond Circles Mobile Library and John P. Webster Library.

The Juneteenth CommUNITY Day culminates with a community dance party.

Free Juneteenth commemorative swag bags will be given to the first 200 attendees.

Meanwhile, folks are invited to visit the Health & Wellness Expo sponsored by Hartford Health Care.

This event is courtesy of a Sustainable CT Match Fund Grant and local sponsors, The Kachwaha Team at Keller Williams Realty, Beyond Circles, Be Mindful Clinic, Playa Bowl, and Bergenn Financial. Event partners include Concerned Parents of Color of West Hartford, RiseUP for Arts, WHAASCO, School of Rock, the Town of West Hartford, West Hartford Public Schools, West Hartford Public Library, and West Hartford Community Interactive (WHCi).

“This year’s celebration will be a day of joy, education, and community partnership,” said Juneteenth event chairperson Adrienne Billings-Smith.

For more information, click on this link.

For more information on the history of the Juneteenth holiday, click on this link.