Juneteenth Events In West Orange: Fireworks, Flags, Art, Cookout

WEST ORANGE, NJ — There will be several ways to observe Juneteenth in West Orange this year, including fireworks, a flag raising ceremony and an art exhibit.

Juneteenth, which is short for June 19th, is a 155-year-old holiday that celebrates the emancipation of African Americans from slavery in the United States. Read More: What Is Juneteenth? 5 Things To Know About The Holiday

Juneteenth is now also a state holiday. In September 2020, Gov. Phil Murphy signed legislation that designates the third Friday in June as a state and public holiday.

Here’s what is happening in West Orange for 2022.

FLAG RAISING, FIREWORKS, OTHER EVENTS

The West Orange Human Relations Commission will host a Juneteenth flag raising ceremony on Thursday, June 16 at 5 p.m. It will take place on the front steps of Town Hall, 66 Main Street.

The flag raising will kick off a series of events that will run until Monday, June 20. Learn more here.

They include the inaugural “JuneTee” celebration, which will take place on Friday, June 17 at Rock Spring Golf Club, 90 Rock Spring Road. The event – which is open to the public – will include an “illumination fireworks show,” free family experiences, music, food and art, all aimed at “celebrating Black excellence.” Festivities will run from 5 to 10 p.m. Learn more here.

ART

The West Orange Arts Council is sponsoring a Juneteenth reception on Saturday, June 18 at 551 Valley Road. Doors open at 11 a.m.

The art reception will feature works from Dwight Carter (photography), Anthony Garmond (drawings), Glendora Simonson (quilts), and Gabrielle Smith (quilts), as well as music by Gregory Burrus Productions with performances by Lynette Sheard from noon to 4 p.m. Learn more here.

COOKOUT

The United Presbyterian Church of West Orange, located at 20 Old Indian Road, will commemorate Juneteenth with a public event on Saturday, June 18 from noon to 4 p.m.

Hamburgers, hot dogs, pulled pork, and other cookout goodies will be served between noon and 2 p.m., and the Urban Cone will be on site featuring an array of ice cream novelties between 2 and 4 p.m.

The event will include yard games for kids and families and “good fellowship for all,” organizers said.

To honor Juneteenth's history, the church will "push forward," with a focus on exercising the right to vote. Relevant information will be available regarding this imperative on site, organizers said.

The event is free and open to all. For more information, call (973) 951-6939.

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