by Solange De Santis -
Juneteenth, now a federal holiday, will be celebrated in Mamaroneck with a vibrant and engaging festival on Saturday, June 17 from noon to 6 p.m. in Columbus Park.
Sponsored by OneMamaroneck, a non-profit organization that seeks to dismantle racism, the festival will commemorate the emancipation of enslaved African Americans and serve as a reminder of the struggle for equality and freedom.
The festival’s title is “Ancestral Spiritual Awakening,” with the theme “The Promises of Freedom: Honoring the Past, Present and Future.” The celebration of Juneteenth comes from the events of June 19, 1865, when Union troops rode into Galveston, Texas, to inform enslaved African Americans that they were free – two years after the Emancipation Proclamation and two months after the end of the war.
Festival attendees will enjoy food vendors, uplifting music, a basketball tournament, Black art-themed crafts, outdoor games, and the rhythmic beats of African drummers. The gathering is intended to provide an opportunity for people of all backgrounds to come together, learn, appreciate, and celebrate the rich heritage and contributions of African Americans.
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