Rain Pushes West Hartford Juneteenth Celebration Back A Day

Town of West Hartford

WEST HARTFORD, CT — Originally planned for Saturday, June 17, a rainy weather forecast has organizers of the third annual West Hartford Juneteenth CommUNITY Celebration moving it to Sunday, June 18, when Mother Nature is expected to be in better spirits.

The event will still be from noon to 4 p.m. at Blue Back Square, 65 Memorial Road.

The day begins with a church service at First Church West Hartford at 10 a.m. with guest speaker Darryl Brakeen, Jr. A book discussion on “The Almost Forgotten” immediately follows in the John P. Webster Library located in the church.

The Juneteenth festivities kick-off at noon.

The event features keynote speaker Lakisha Hyatt, CEO of CT Valley Hospital, the first African American serving in this role.

Symphone Privett, Fox61 news anchor and reporter, will emcee the celebration.

West Hartford student Derek Williams and West Hartford Town Councilor Carol Blanks will share reflections on the importance of celebrating this federal holiday.

Music and dance performances include Nekita Waller, Connecticut's former State Troubadour, Friendz World Music, beats by DJ B-EZ, Lisa Clayton & the Lisa Clayton Singers, Studio8Sixty Dance Team, and Lil Skitx. Emma Billings will sing the Black National Anthem.

Join the Posh Paint crew to create a one-of-a kind art work for Juneteenth.

Young and old alike can participate in a hula-hoop or jump rope contest, as well as, Juneteenth Bingo and Trivia for the kids.

Juneteenth Community Day culminates with a community dance party. Free Juneteenth commemorative swag bags will be given to the first 250 attendees.

Be sure to visit the Black Business Expo organized by West Hartford African American Social & Cultural Organization, WHAASCO.

The official event sponsor is the Connecticut Historical Society.

Event partners include Concerned Parents of Color of West Hartford, RiseUP for Arts, WHAASCO, John P. Webster Library of First Church West Hartford, School of Rock, Town of West Hartford, West Hartford Public Schools and West Hartford Public Library.

Two events will take place on Saturday, June 17:

Children’s author Charnaie Gordon will lead a Juneteenth Storytime at 1 p.m. for children ages 3-6 at the main library, 20 S. Main St. Gordon will read “Lift Every Voice and Sing” and “A Friend Like You.”

The annual Witness Stones Installation Ceremony will be held in the library’s community room also on Saturday, June 17, at 10:30 a.m.

The ceremony begins with African drumming led by Curtiss Greenidge and Friendz World Music.

Ten people who were enslaved in West Hartford will be honored with Witness Stones.

“We will gather to tell the stories of Rose and Boston Nichols and their family including Boston Nichols Jr., Lydia Boston, Jemima Nichols and Thomas Boston. Listen to the stories of Liverpole, Richard and Rebecca,” said West Hartford Town Historian Tracey Wilson.

“This group of people represent both the story of slavery and freedom and provide stories that represent the essence of Juneteenth. In West Hartford, more than 100 men, women and children were enslaved here from 1693 to at least 1830,” Wilson said.

High school students in the Mayor’s Youth Council developed a self-guided walking tour on slavery and freedom, which attendees can take after the ceremony.

This tour amplifies the story of slavery and freedom. This story is ably illustrated by the Rise Up! MLK39 mural on the walls of the public library.

For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/WHJuneteenthCelebration.