Eastern Montco Juneteenth Celebration Brings Community Together

WILLOW GROVE, PA — Community members gathered outside the Upper Moreland Public Library this past Saturday for the second annual Eastern Montgomery County Juneteenth Celebration.

The event, which took place from 1 to 4 p.m. on a stretch of Park Avenue in Upper Moreland Township just across the street from the Willow Grove Park Mall, included live music, art, food and drinks, and vendors representing various businesses and organizations.

It was the second year for the event, and the first time it took place at the Park Avenue location.

Upper Moreland Police Chief Andy Block said it was held along a stretch of congested York Road last year, but event organizers wanted a better space in which to hold the celebration.

Some elected officials were also in attendance — including Democratic State Rep. Ben Sanchez and Democratic State Sen. Maria Collett, both representing parts of Montgomery County.

The street was lined with vendors selling various wares and goods, including jewelry, mugs, clothing, handmade art and crafts, and other assorted items.

There were also booths of volunteers signing folks up to vote, and organizations representing movements for change in Harrisburg.

Juneteenth just recently became a federal holiday in the United States. It commemorates the emancipation of Black slaves in the south following the Civil War.

Specifically, it honors a moment in history when the Union Army informed enslaved people in Texas that they had been freed.

Juneteenth was first recognized as a federal holiday in June 2021 when President Joe Biden signed into the law the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act.