Service, Parade, Fair, Flag Ceremony: Commemorate the End of Slavery June 20

Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration of the ending of slavery.

On June 19, 1865, Union soldiers led by Major General Gordon Granger landed at Galveston, TX with news that the war had ended and that all slaves were now free. This event occurred more than two and a half years after Jan. 1, 1863 when the Emancipation Proclamation became official.

Juneteenth, also known as “Freedom Day” or “Emancipation Day”, is a holiday created by Black people in the United States to honor and celebrate African American ancestry, history, achievements and struggles. Juneteenth is now recognized as a state holiday or state holiday observance in 43 states as well as the District of Columbia.

In celebration of this event, the Peekskill Juneteenth Heritage Committee has a full schedule of events.

A short ceremony will be held at Park Street AME Zion Church at 1:30 p.m.

The parade will kick off on Park Street in front of the church at 2 p.m., and end at the corner of South St. and Smith St.

At Peekskill’s Riverfront Green Park beginning at 11 a.m., there will be a variety and diversity of vendors. From 4-8 p.m., there will be an extensive entertainment lineup of Gospel, Jazz, Hip Hop music, dance, and poetry which will be performed on the stage.

Show your spirit and share the fun.

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