Danbury Planning Large Juneteenth Celebration

DANBURY — The western Connecticut city of Danbury is hosting a massive Juneteenth celebration to commemorate one the most important moments in American history.

Juneteenth will be celebrated in Danbury on Sunday, June 19, from noon to 5 p.m. at Western Connecticut State University's Midtown Campus on 181 White St.

It will celebrate the theme that garnered the most votes by Danbury residents: "Honoring our Heritage: Forging the Future."

Admission is free and open to the public.

Pre-registration at https://www.wcsu.edu/tickets/ is preferred, but not a requirement.

For those interested in volunteering, becoming a vendor or corporate sponsor, contact the Danbury Juneteenth Coalition at DanburyJune19@gmail.com or on Facebook @DanburyJuneteenth.

Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the abolition of slavery in the United States.

Dating back to 1865, it was on June 19 of that year that the Union soldiers, led by Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston, Texas, with news the Civil War had ended and that the enslaved were now free.

This was two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation - which had become official Jan. 1, 1863.

Fast-forward to 2021, in an example of bipartisanship, the U.S. Senate voted unanimously on a resolution to make Juneteenth an American federal holiday.

The Senate resolution officially establishes June 19 as “Juneteenth National Independence Day.”

The day after the Senate passed the resolution, the U.S. House of Representatives also approved the resolution and President Joe Biden signed the bill into law.

“Juneteenth almost always focused on education and self-improvement, with a range of activities provided to entertain the masses, many of which continue in tradition today,” said Glenda Armstrong, president of the Greater Danbury NAACP.

In an effort to recognize and celebrate the history of this holiday and to highlight the contributions made by African Americans to the community, the Danbury Juneteenth Coalition is planning a fun-filled day for the entire family – both young and old -- with a curated roster of activities that will take place throughout the day.

Rahsaan Langley, one of Connecticut’s premier R&B singers, will be the musical headliner.

There will be live entertainment by D.J. Frank Stewart and other music and dance performances by local artists, such as hip hop artist D.J. Gaines, with more being added.

Also, cultural and historical activities will include a Juneteenth exhibit and walking tour by the Danbury Museum.

It is called the “Liberation Juneteenth Visual Arts Celebration" and it's sponsored by the Cultural Alliance of Western CT.

There will also be a panel discussion featuring leaders from the fields of education, the arts, the non-profit sector, corporate and community leaders.

Adjacent to the main area will be a wellness center providing free Covid-19 vaccinations and health screenings; a kids corner with children’s activities; local vendors; informational resources such as employment opportunities; a variety of food truck options and more.

Because Juneteenth falls on Father’s Day this year, the celebration will also honor fathers with swag bags and other tokens of appreciation.

“The Racial Justice Coalition is actively committed to ensuring racial justice and inclusiveness at Western Connecticut State University and the community at large,” said Ree LeBlanc Gunter, co-chairperson, WCSU Racial Justice Coalition.

“Therefore, we are thrilled to not only be a premier sponsor but to also host this year’s Danbury Juneteenth Celebration on our campus,” added Carina Bandhauer, co-chairperson.

For information on the WCSU Racial Justice Coalition, visit this link.

For information on Sunday's Juneteenth event, visit this link.