Next Wednesday, June 19, is Juneteenth National Independence Day, a federal holiday to commemorate the ending of slavery in the United States. The annual holiday is widely considered “the longest-running African American holiday” and has been called “America’s second independence Day,” according to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture. Several East End-based establishments are celebrating Juneteenth beginning this weekend. Here’s a run-down on where you can go to celebrate and observe.
Southampton Town
The 4th annual Juneteenth Celebration is the Southampton African American Museum (SAAM) this Saturday, June 15, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.. Along with self-guided tours of the museum available all day, there will be a barbecue hosted by H&S Catering Inc. and musical performances and storytelling from master kora player Yacouba Sissoko. Festivities will also include a fireside chat with author Tavia Jeffries on their new book, Dear Son.
To commemorate the holiday, the Parrish Art Museum in Water Mill hosts a live screening of the 2022 documentary Juneteenth: Faith and Freedom beginning at 6 p.m. on Friday, June 21. Co-presented by SAAM and the Eastville Community Historical Society in Sag Harbor, the film follows the journey of history professor Dr. Carey Latimore who travels to Galveston, Texas (the birthplace of the holiday) with special guests to recount and explore the impactful meaning behind emancipation and how that, in turn, shed light on the connection between faith and freedom within the African American community. Tickets are $20 for adults, $18 for seniors, $13 for members, $10 for students, $5 for children. Click here to snag your tickets.
East Hampton Town
LTV Studios in Wainscott hosts its first “Juneteenth Jubilee White Party” on Wednesday at 6 p.m.. Co- presented by the Eastville Community Historical Society, the evening will feature both an awards portion and a ceremony, honoring Assemblyman Fred Thiele, the Parrish Museum, Sylvester Manor and Bay Street Theater, plus words from Dr. Georgette Grier-Key, executive director and chief curator at Eastville, singer/songwriter/producer Antoine Hilton and Michael A. Butler, lifetime. Member of the NAACP and chairperson of the preservation committee of the St. David AME Zion Cemetery, which is owned and operated by Eastville. There’ll be refreshments and cocktails, a Gospel extravaganza, art and jewelry vendors, spoken-word performances and music by DJ Infmatic. General admission is $75 in advance, $100 at the door. Buy yours here.
Acre Shoe Community Development Inc., along with help from the East Hampton Calvary Baptist Church and other members of the community, will put on “Juneteenth in the Park” on Wednesday, beginning at 11 a.m. in Herrick Park on Newtown Lane in East Hampton. The day promises to include music, entertainments, food trucks, vendors activities for kids and much more. Ends at 4 p.m..
Off the Fork
Shelter Island’s Sylvester Manor observes Juneteenth next Wednesday with a gathering at the Afro-Indigenous Burial Ground located on the property. A couple little tidbits: For hundreds of years, the lands of the Manor were home to indigenous Manhansett people. The site is also, according to the Manor’s website, the most intact remnant of a former slaveholding plantation north of Virginia. There are upwards of 200 people that were enslaved servants and laborers that are buried on the Manor’s grounds. Beginning at 1 p.m. on Wednesday there will be a “Calling of the Names” of the people of color who are buried there. The observance will go until 2 p.m.. Closed footwear and bug spray are recommended. All are welcome.
In Greenport, all are welcome to join in for the Juneteenth Community Celebration and Picnic set for a 10 a.m. start on Saturday. Presented by the Clinton Memorial AME Zion Church in partnership with the Anti-Bias Task Force and Coming to the Table, the day begins with pastor Natalie Wimberly and a blessing for the AME Church elders. Kicking off at 11 a.m. from the AME Church on 3rd Street, the parade will feature walkers, riders and skaters and is slated to end at Mitchell Park. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own picnic to the park, where there will be music, dancing poetry and more. At 2 p.m., Juneteenth: Faith and Freedom screens at North Fork Arts Center. A discussion will follow. At 5 p.m., all are welcome to yoga in the park.