Info Released On Juneteenth Celebration In Milford

MILFORD, CT — Milford will mark Juneteenth with a community celebration on the Milford Green following the city's America 250 parade on June 20.

Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when enslaved Black Americans in Galveston, Texas, learned of the Emancipation Proclamation more than two years after it was issued by President Abraham Lincoln. The holiday recognizes that historic event and honors the contributions and achievements of Black Americans.

The Milford celebration is scheduled from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on the Green after the conclusion of the America 250 parade.

Organizers said the event will feature a cookout with food from local restaurants, including Locke's Caribbean Kitchen Restaurant in Milford and Paradise Island Food of Bridgeport. The program will also include performances by local singers, dancers and spoken-word artists, along with vendors offering products and services.

The event's Literary Juneteenth program will include readings of works by Black authors and a giveaway of books for children and adults. Organizers said hundreds of books by Black, Brown, Indigenous and Asian authors, or about those communities, will be available. Movies, music, puzzles and artwork also will be distributed.

The city's America 250 celebration will begin with a parade stepping off at 11 a.m. from Wasson Field and traveling along West River and River streets to the Milford Green.

Additional events planned later in the day include live music at Lisman Landing beginning at 5 p.m., food trucks and a fireworks display scheduled for 9:15 p.m.

Read more: Milford Fireworks, Kickoff To Summer 2026: What To Know

Sponsors of the Juneteenth celebration include the Beth-El Center, Mary Taylor Memorial United Methodist Church, Milford Regional Chamber of Commerce, All In For Milford, Milford Historical Society, Milford Arts Council and the City of Milford.

More info is available by clicking here.