Details Announced For Danbury's 2023 Juneteenth Celebration

DANBURY, CT — Juneteenth will be celebrated in the city of Danbury on Saturday, June 17, from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Western Connecticut State University (WCSU), Midtown Campus, 181 White St.

The theme of this year's celebration is "Educate. Empower. Engage."

In an effort to recognize and celebrate the rich history of the holiday and to highlight the extraordinary contributions made by African Americans to the community, the Danbury Juneteenth Coalition is planning a fun-filled day for the entire family – both young and old — with a curated roster of exciting activities that will take place throughout the day.

There will be live entertainment by D.J. Frank Stewart and other music and dance performances by local artists, such as hip hop artist D.J. Gaines, with more being added.

Also, there will be cultural and historical activities including a Juneteenth exhibit and walking tour by the Danbury Museum, "The Folding Chair Collective and Ritual Open" exhibits sponsored by the Cultural Alliance of Western CT, and a panel discussion featuring leaders from the fields of education, the arts, the non-profit sector, corporate and community leaders.

Adjacent to the main area will be a wellness center providing free COVID-19 vaccinations and health screenings, a kids corner with children's activities, local vendors , and informational resources related to things like employment opportunities. There will also be a variety of food truck options and more.

"Juneteenth almost always focused on education and self-improvement, with a range of activities provided to entertain the masses, many of which continue in tradition today," said Glenda Armstrong, president, Greater Danbury NAACP, in a news release.

Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the abolition of slavery in the United States. Dating back to 1865, it was on June 19 that the Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston, Texas, with news that the war had ended and that the enslaved were now free. This was two-and-a-half years after President Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation - which had become official on Jan. 1, 1863.

Fast-forward to 2021, in a great example of bi-partisanship, the United States Senate voted unanimously on a resolution to make Juneteenth an American federal holiday. The Senate resolution officially establishes June 19 as "Juneteenth National Independence Day."

The day after the Senate passed the resolution, the United States House of Representatives also approved the resolution and President Joe Biden signed the bill into law.

"The Racial Justice Coalition is actively committed to ensuring racial justice and inclusiveness at Western Connecticut State University and the community at large," said Ree LeBlanc Gunter, co-chairperson, WCSU Racial Justice Coalition, in a news release.

"Therefore, we are thrilled to not only be a premier sponsor but to also host this year's Danbury Juneteenth Celebration on our campus," added Carina Bandhauer, co-chairperson, in a news release.

Admission is free and open to the public.

For those interested in volunteering, becoming a vendor, or corporate sponsor, contact the DanburyJuneteenth Coalition at [email protected] or on Facebook @DanburyJuneteenth.