New Rochelle To Celebrate Juneteenth Friday, Issues Traffic Advisory

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — The city is pulling out all the stops to celebrate Juneteenth, but there may be a detour or two.

The City of New Rochelle invites everyone to join in the celebration of Juneteenth at New Rochelle City Hall on Friday, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Attendees will be able to enjoy a marketplace of local vendors, educational exhibits, kids' activities, historical presentations, food and live performances.

Juneteenth commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the U.S., marking the day on June 19, 1865, when Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, to announce the end of the Civil War and enforce the Emancipation Proclamation.

The holiday symbolizes freedom and celebrates African American culture and achievements, noted the presenters, Kingdom Community Consultants.

Special highlights scheduled for the event include:

• Professor James Small: noted scholar activist, dynamic speaker, organizational consultant
• Singer, recording artist, actor and music director Greginald Spencer
• Faith Jones Performing Arts African Dance group

New Rochelle Mayor Yadira Ramos-Herbert and New Rochelle City Manager Wilfredo Melendez will also attend and deliver remarks.

Traffic Advisory: To accommodate Friday’s Juneteenth Celebration, Hamilton Ave. will be closed between North Ave. and Beaufort Pl., from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Hamilton East will be closed from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., while Hamilton West will be closed from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. There will be parking restrictions on Hamilton Ave. Cars left on the street will be towed.