Commemorating the end of slavery, and renewing hope and commitment to a vibrant and flourishing future, the City of Goshen Community Relations Commission is hosting a Juneteenth Celebration at Shanklin Park (411 W. Plymouth Ave.) on Sunday, June 19 from 12 p.m.–4 p.m.
The event will feature local and regional artisans, performers, and food vendors. The main purpose is to celebrate, learn, and connect with others.
Beyond vendor tables we will also have a number of educational opportunities. Goshen Public Library will be printing library cards, community members will host Conversations on Reparations, and the Department of Environmental Resilience will share information about urban forestry.
La Casa will host a free 2-hour public workshop on personal finance from 10 a.m.–12 p.m. Come for the learning, stay for the party!
Juneteenth National Independence Day commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. In 2021, it became an observed federal holiday after a majority approval by the US House of Representatives and unanimous approval from the US Senate. The City of Goshen adopted Juneteenth as a local holiday the same year.
City of Goshen Community Relations Director AJ Delgadillo said a community-wide celebration showcasing local performers, artisans, and food vendors reminds us of how much richer our community is when everyone is empowered to succeed.
“I’m excited for the celebration on Sunday, but I’m also excited to see local artisans step into the spotlight,” he said.
As a holiday, Juneteenth isn’t just a time to celebrate, but also a time for reflecting and acting. The observation of Juneteenth includes empowering our neighbors to build their own opportunities, grow their own wealth, and bring everyone to the table.
“As a community we can say we’re welcoming but it means a lot more when we have a way to recognize the contributions of our neighbors—especially our historically excluded neighbors,” Delgadillo said. “It’s worth our time to say ‘I’m glad for all my neighbors and I’m excited to build the future of our community together.’”