(RED BANK, NJ) -- Now that it is a Federal Holiday, Juneteenth celebrations will be happening across the nation. In Red Bank, the festivities will take place on Sunday June 18, at Johnny Jazz Park, on the corners of Shrewsbury Ave., and Dr. James Parker Blvd., at 1:00pm. The Greater Red Bank community is invited to gather at Pilgrim Baptist Church at 12 Noon, where a procession, led by Rev. Terrence Porter will start at 12:15pm, toward the park. 

The keynote speaker for this year’s celebration will be Larry Hamm, a lifelong Essex County activist and the Director of People’s Organization for Progress (POP). Hamm is a born leader, starting his activism at Arts High School in Newark, where he led his first protest, in 1971.  He is a dynamic speaker, who is energetic in his stance for social justice and the Red Bank Juneteenth Committee is honored to have him as this year’s speaker. Craft vendors, non-profit organizations, student participation, food, music, and coming together as a community is to honor the past and celebrate a new day. 

Juneteenth roots date back to 1865 in the Confederate state of Texas. Although President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, that freed all enslaved people in Confederate states, those enslaved in Texas didn’t learn of their freedom until two years later, when General Gordon Granger rode into Galveston, Texas, on June 19, and read the proclamation, marking that day as Juneteenth and Freedom Day!

The Juneteenth Committee was led by the Director of Parks and Recreation, Oscar Salinas and comprised of community members: Juanita Lewis, Memone Crystian, Adrienne Bilaal, Rose Sestito, Sola Adenekan, Gilda Rogers, Rev. Darlene Wilson, Rev. Diane Watson-Kendall. 

If you’d like to purchase a table, please contact: [email protected]