Juneteenth Celebrations In Phoenixville And Beyond

PHOENIXVILLE, PA —-A Juneteenth celebration is set from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday, June 18, in the 200 block of Bridge Street in Phoenixville.

Diversity In Action along with Black Light Projects, Communities That Care, and Orion Communities organized activities to engage the community and shed light on the importance of African American history in the United States.

Juneteenth is a federal holiday commemorating the emancipation of slavery in the United States.

On June 19, 1865, an estimated 2,000 Union troops freed African American slaves in Texas.

The festivities in Phoenixville include re-enactors, music, art, dance, drummers, street theater, magic, Soul food, and storytelling.

Other events in Chester County include:

• Juneteenth Tours in Chester County History Center: Outdoor tours of the Underground Railroad and Uptown West Chester. The tours start at the history center, 225 North High St. The tours are about one mile. The Underground Railroad tours begin at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are available here.
• African American Quilting Art Show & Reception: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Chester County Art Association, 100 N. Bradford Ave., West Chester. The event is free.
• West Chester Juneteenth Festival: 4 to 5 p.m. Monday, June 19 at Charles A. Melton Arts and Education Center, 501 E. Miner St., West Chester. Dancers from the Diane Matthews School of Dance Arts will perform.
• Fashion Freedom: 6:30 p.m. June 16, Kennett Square: open-air theater with Kimberly Jenkins, who will lead Voices Underground celebration of African American fashion. Jones of Fashion and Race Database and Artis Solomon Consulting. She studied the impact of African American clothing and expression through the lenses of politics, race, psychology and anthropology. Tickets are available here.