Juneteenth 2021: Your guide to celebrations in N.J. – NJ.com

Juneteenth, celebrated on June 19, commemorates the end of slavery in the U.S.

Congress voted on the 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery, in January of 1865. Juneteenth recognizes the day later that year when the Union Army reached Galveston, Texas — one of the last strongholds of slavery — and spread the word that the last remaining slaves in the United States were free.

In New Jersey, Gov. Phil Murphy signed a law in 2020 that made Juneteenth a state holiday. This year, plans for celebrations are happening all over the Garden State.

Here is a list of Juneteenth events in New Jersey.

The Black Excellence Festival – This two-day event kicks off at the Showboat Hotel in Atlantic City on June 18. It features food trucks, a celebrity basketball game, a comedy show and more. Ticket prices vary by individual event.

Moorestown Juneteenth Celebration – Moorestown will commemorate Juneteenth on June 19 at the Perkins Center for the Arts beginning at 10 a.m. The free outdoor event will feature vendors, speakers, historians and artists.

Newark Museum of Art’s Community Day: Juneteenth – The Newark Museum of Art will offer a slate of virtual programming on June 19, beginning at 10 a.m. Events include a virtual dance masterclass, a discussion about George Floyd’s legacy and more.

Bloomfield’s First Juneteenth Celebration – The Township of Bloomfield will host its first Juneteenth celebration beginning June 18, with a discussion by the history of the holiday and its significance to the Black community. This event will be held at Bloomfield High School at 6 p.m. On June 19, an outdoor festival hosted by GiveBack Hair Show in and around Bloomfield Center starts at noon.

Orange New Jersey Juneteenth Festival – This free festival presented by Orange Councilwoman Adrienne Wooten happens at Colgate Park beginning at 10 a.m. on June 19. It features food, vendors and drinks, according to a flyer.

Juneteenth Freedom Family Festival – Hosted by Source of Knowledge Bookstore, All Politics Are Local and The Black Home, this event kicks off at noon. It features book signings, performances, guest speakers and more.

Juneteenth Rally to Say The Word: REPARATIONS – A rally and march for reparations, organized by The New Jersey Institute For Social Justice, and other community groups, is set for noon at the Lincoln Memorial on Market Street in Newark. The demonstration is in support of New Jersey bills to create a reparations task force (S322/A711).

Skatefest At Colgate Skate Park – The City of Orange is set to host a day of skating at Colgate Park, beginning at 11 a.m. “All wheels are welcome,” according to the event flyer. Free skate clinics are planned for folks of all ages, and the event will feature a skate contest for participants 16 and under.

Juneteenth at Mercer Stables – The African American Cultural Collaborative of Mercer County will host a free event at Mercer Stables where attendees can learn about Black cowboys and cowgirls, according to a Facebook event page. It begins at 10 a.m. on June 19.

Juneteenth Weekend Celebration in Trenton – A three-day celebration at Mill Hill Park in Trenton kicks off on June 18. Activities include a freedom bike ride, a gospel celebration and discussions about children’s literacy.

Neptune/Asbury Park Juneteenth Celebration – This Juneteenth celebration kicks off at Midtown Commons Park at 11 a.m. on June 19 with speakers, sign making and more. A parade begins at 1:15. And a festival featuring performances, vendors and vaccinations starts at 2 p.m. at Springwood Avenue Park in Asbury Park.

Jersey Shore Juneteenth Celebration – Head to the Jersey Shore for a day filled with an Afro-centric fashion show, natural hair demonstrations, live cooking presentations and more. The event kicks off at 10PRL in Long Branch at 11 a.m. on June 19. Tickets cost $10.

Juneteenth Pop Up Celebration – The Juneteenth Pop Up Celebration in Elizabeth kicks off at noon on June 19 and masks are required for attendance, according to an event flyer. A DJ will be spinning hits and several local vendors will be in attendance.

Juneteenth Art Festival – This event at Rabkin Park in Union is filled with art, food and music. Food and cash donations will be accepted by the local food pantry. It begins at 11 a.m. on June 19.

Juneteenth Caravan and Marketplace – This celebration in Elizabeth kicks off at 5 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Park. Hosted by First Republic Lounge, festivities include a caravan parade, a food festival and an open air marketplace.

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Tennyson Donyèa may be reached at tcoleman@njadvancemedia.com. Feel free to message with any events we may have missed.