Salem To Host Inaugural 'Juneteenth Jam' Festival At Riley Plaza

SALEM, MA — Salem will celebrate the Juneteenth national holiday this year with the inaugural Juneteenth Jam featuring a day of remarks, music, readings, food, crafts and games at Riley Plaza followed by a screening of "Black Panther" at Salem Common.

The inaugural event open to all members of the public will take place starting at noon on June 18 in collaboration with the North Shore Juneteenth Association.

The Riley Plaza portion of the event will include the playing of the Black National Anthem and the raising of the Juneteenth Flags. After this ceremony has concluded, community members are invited to participate in a public reading of Frederick Douglass's famous speech "The Meaning Of The Fourth Of July For The Negro" led by Nicole McClain.

Salem Historical Tours will offer a free Black history tour of Salem at 2 p.m. with up to 40 people able to participate in the 90-minute walking tour.

The Riley Plaza portion of the event concludes at 5 p.m. with the movie screening set to begin at 8:30 in collaboration with the Salem Common Neighborhood Association.

"This year's ceremony will be thoughtful, fun and allow our community to come together to celebrate," Salem Mayor Dominick Pangallo said.

A Mass Humanities grant through the Massachusetts Cultural Council is helping fund the program.