Reading Announces Date, Details For Summer Juneteenth Celebration

READING, MA — The Town of Reading has announced the date and some details for this summer's third annual Juneteenth Freedom Festival.

The free event is scheduled to take place from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. on June 24 on the Reading Town Common. In addition to the Town of Reading, the event is sponsored by Reading Public Library and the Reading Office of Equity and Social Justice.

Juneteenth is a national holiday that commemorates the end of slavery in the U.S.

According to organizers, the celebration in Reading will include music, dance, food trucks, a beer garden, community speakers, art, games for kids and a DJ.

The program is expected to feature an interactive African dance and drumming ensemble and dance performances by students from Reading Public Schools. There also will be a pop-up marketplace.

"Juneteenth is an occasion that signifies both reflection as well as celebration, and we hope that, through this event, our community has the opportunity to learn more about the historical significance of this day, and celebrate and appreciate African American culture in all of its forms," said Dr. Sudeshna Chatterjee, Reading's director of Equity and Social Justice.

Chatterjee said the Juneteenth event also will partner with a number of other local community groups, including: Students of Color and Allies for Diversity, Justice, and Inclusion, which is a group at Reading Memorial High School, the Coalition of Us (CATO), and the North Reading Human Rights Group.

As the summer approaches, more information about the event will be available on the Town of Reading's social media accounts and the Office of Equity and Social Justice page on the town website.