Juneteenth 'Unity Picnic' Planned For Hoboken Pier Thursday

HOBOKEN, NJ — The Third Annual Juneteenth Unity Picnic is planned for Thursday on the Hoboken waterfront.

It'll include live music, dancing, fitness demos, a "melanin market," face painting, and more.

• Do you want to post your own nonprofit event, letter, or release on your local Patch for free? Instructions are here

The National Museum of African American history notes, "Juneteenth is a significant date in American history and the African American experience. The name is a play on the date of June 19th, 1865. On that day, the Union Army made its way into Galveston, TX under the leadership of General Gordon Granger, and he announced to the people of Texas that all enslaved African Americans were free."

Mile Square Mommies posted on social media, "three yrs ago, I curated & hosted the very first Juneteenth Celebration in Hoboken History, & I am so proud to continue this beautiful tradition in my hometown."

• Do you want to post your own nonprofit event, letter, or release on your local Patch for free? Instructions are here

"This historic celebration is one that wasn't taught in schools, nor acknowledged, especially up in the North, until recent years. I wanted to curate a special event where we could come together as a culture & community to acknowledge & honor the past and celebrate the freedoms we currently have while moving towards the freedoms to come.

"Please join me for an afternoon of music, black soul line dancing, arts & crafts, fitness demos, kids' soccer demos, bubbles, games, & more!"

The event runs at the southernmost pier on the Hoboken waterfront, Pier A Park, from 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

More details are here.

Liberty State Park Hosts Celebration As Well

A daylong Juneteenth celebration is occurring in Jersey City on the same day, with several musical acts. Find out details here.