Windsor Green To Host Juneteenth Celebration

WINDSOR, CT — A Juneteenth celebration in Windsor will bring food, music, family activities and a firelight reading to one of the town’s most historic places.

The Windsor Human Relations Commission and Windsor Historical Society will host the Juneteenth Celebration and Firelight Reading from 4 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, June 19, at Windsor Historical Society, 96 Palisado Ave.

The afternoon program on the historic Palisado Green will include family-friendly crafts, story readings, a bounce house, performances by Magic Soul Academy drumline and food from local food trucks.

At 7 p.m., attendees will gather around a fire on grounds once walked by people enslaved in Windsor for the annual audience-led firelight reading.

This year’s reading will feature Lemuel Haynes’ 1776 essay, “Liberty Further Extended.” Haynes, born in West Hartford in 1753, was America’s first Black ordained minister.

In the essay, Haynes argued against slavery, called out the hypocrisy of America’s fight for independence and pushed for a freer future.

Participants may read aloud or listen and reflect during the program, according to Windsor Historical Society.

Both programs are scheduled to be held outside. In the case of heavy rain, the events will move indoors to Windsor Historical Society facilities.

The program is part of Windsor Historical Society’s WindsorCT250 commemoration activities.

For more information, visit WindsorHistoricalSociety.org or email info@windsorhistoricalsociety.org.