Juneteenth — the United States’ “second Independence Day” marking the end of the Civil War and of slavery in the country on June 19, 1865 — became a federal holiday in 2021, though it has long been celebrated in African American communities.
Here is a rundown of Juneteenth-related festivities taking place in the Mercer County area.
The Mercer County Library hosts a virtual talk, “What We Commemorate on Juneteenth,” on the origins and significance of the holiday. Dr. Richard Bell, Professor of History at the University of Maryland, discusses the struggles of enslaved African Americans during the Civil War and the events leading up to their emancipation on June 19, 1865. Register to receive access to the free program by visit www.mcl.org. Thursday, June 13, 6:30 p.m.
The City of Trenton holds a flag raising in front of city hall at 319 East State Street followed by live entertainment, music, dancing, and games. Friday, June 14, 3 to 8 p.m.
Howell Living History Farm in Hopewell invites visitors to join historical interpreters on a free wagon ride and tour of the circa-1790 farmhouse where Revolutionary War-era New Jerseyans lived and farmed the land that now makes up Mercer County’s Pleasant Valley National Rural Historic District.
Board a wagon to travel down the driveway, across Moore’s Creek, and through the woods before disembarking at the Captain Henry Phillips House, where you meet historical interpreters in period attire for a unique discussion of the history of the house and the people who lived in it before and after the 1804 passage of New Jersey’s Act for the Gradual Abolition of Slavery. The farm is located at 70 Woodens Lane, Hopewell. Free tickets are first come-first served in the barnyard. Saturday, June 15, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The African American Cultural Collaborative of Mercer County hosts a Juneteenth Festival at the Mercer County Park Festival Grounds, 1638 Old Trenton Road in West Windsor. The family-friendly event includes music, performances, food, and more. Hosted by Kevin “Deekay” Francois, the free celebration includes singer Vivian Green and performances by Farafina Kan, Lin Rountree, DJ Fatha Ramzee, Cintron Band, Chelsey Green and the Green Project, DJ Ed Ward, Queen Samut, and others. Saturday, June 15, noon to 8 p.m.
The Stoutsburg Sourland African American Museum (SSAAM), Central New Jersey’s only museum sharing the history of African Americans since the trans-Atlantic Slave trade, holds its third annual Juneteenth celebration at the National Historic Register-listed Mt. Zion AME Church and historic True Farmstead in Skillman. Come out to enjoy live gospel music, original performances, games for kids, and mouthwatering cuisine, including vegan options.
Performers at the “Freedom Forward” event include rap artist Dayne Carter, the SSAAM 13 member Gospel Choir, and gospel group Candance Ray and the Band.
Other activities include an Interactive Praise Dance Workshop led by Tomia MacQueen; appearances by authors and SSAAM founders Beverly Mills and Elaine Buck, author Isabela Morales, and actor and poet: Olivia Altidor; and tours of the historic True Farmstead, Mr. Zion AME church, and heritage garden.
The exhibition currently featured is “Art of the Witness Stones Project,” featuring student artwork from Timberlane Middle School’s eighth grade classes that honors the lives of three enslaved individuals from Hopewell.
Free shuttle buses will run every 15 minutes from 11:45 a.m. through 3:15 p.m. at Montgomery High School parking lot to and from the event on Hollow Road in Skillman. Limited parking will be available at the True Farmstead for the handicapped, those with limited mobility, event vendors, and performers. Tickets, $15 to $30, are available via EventBrite. Rain or shine. Saturday, June 15, noon to 4 p.m.
The Princeton and Trenton-based Stretto Youth Chamber Orchestra performs a free, outdoor Juneteenth concert at 300 Witherspoon Street in Princeton. Sunday, June 16, 4 p.m.
The Princeton Festival and the Municipality of Princeton have partnered for a series of Juneteenth events on the holiday itself, punctuated by a concert honoring Black choral music.
The festivities start with a Juneteenth Flag-raising at Monument Plaza in front of the municipality’s Monument Hall with remarks by Council members Leticia Fraga, Leighton Newlin, and municipal administrator Bernard Hvozdovic, Jr. The ceremony concludes with a rendition of “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” led by soloists from the Princeton Festival’s evening performance. Wednesday, June 19, 1 p.m.
The “Let Freedom Ring” Booth — part of the Voices of Princeton oral history project — offers attendees the opportunity to record their reflections, thoughts, hopes, and dreams for a better America by stepping into an old-fashioned phone booth rigged as a recording studio at Morven’s Stockton Education Center. This program is in partnership with the Witherspoon Jackson Historical and Cultural Society, The Arts Council of Princeton, the Historical Society of Princeton, and the Princeton Public Library. Wednesday, June 19, 4 p.m.
Representatives from numerous Princeton-area businesses and civic organizations participate in a community celebration. There will be food by Black-owned business Tipple & Rose and sharing of Juneteenth resources, history, crafts, and education commemorating the anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation.
Participating community partners include Art Against Racism, The Historical Society of Princeton, Not In Our Town, Princeton, Morven Museum and Garden, The Municipality of Princeton, Passage Theatre, Paul Robeson House of Princeton, The Princeton Public Library and the Voices of Princeton Project, Stuart Country Day School of the Sacred Heart, Tipple & Rose, West Windsor Arts Council, and YWCA Princeton. Morven Museum & Garden offers free museum admission. Wednesday, June 19, 4 to 7 p.m.
The day concludes with the Celebration Honoring Black Choral Music in the Performance Pavilion on the grounds of Morven. Choral conductor Vinroy D. Brown, Jr. of Westminster Choir College leads a choir drawn from the community and anchored by the Capital Singers of Trenton. The program includes remarks by Union Baptist Church’s Rev. Simeon Spencer and features Robert Ray’s iconic Gospel Mass with additional choral selections highlighting the joy and spirit of Black music.
In addition to the Gospel Mass, the program includes Mark Miller’s “I Believe,” Marques L. A. Garrett’s “Sing Out, My Soul,” traditional spirituals, and James Weldon Johnson and John Rosamond Johnson’s “Lift Every Voice & Sing.” Tickets for the concert start at $10 for adults and $5 for children with group discounts available. Visit www.princetonfestival.org. Wednesday, June 19, 7 p.m.
