The fourth annual Juneteenth Celebration in the City of Newburgh welcomed families to Downing Park for food, family fun and local performances for the community to enjoy. The celebration, held June 19, was again led by organizer Daniel Gayle, owner of Cream Puffs on South Street alongside Ash Cash, the City of Newburgh and other community partners.

The history of the annual holiday began two years after the passage of the Emancipation Proclamation, a revolutionary and controversial document at the time, signed by President Abraham Lincoln. It declared that from January 1, 1863 all enslaved people would be declared free. Though the proclamation was passed, it would not lead to the immediate abolition of slavery in several states.

Union troops led by General Gordon Granger arrived on June 19, 1865 in Galveston, Texas, and informed the people of the passage of the proclamation declaring slaves free in the states that had seceded from the US. The 19th of June, combined together, became the annual celebration known as Juneteenth and the day first became a federal holiday in the United States on June 17, 2021.

“We all know what happened in 1863 when the Emancipation Proclamation was written and it took two years for a group of slaves in Texas to know that they were free, truly free,” said former Newburgh Enlarged City School District member Philip Howard. “So I truly support and represent and celebrate Juneteenth as a true day of independence for this country.”

The annual celebration of Juneteenth is a time for families and friends to come together in community, to celebrate traditions while also reflecting on the past of their ancestors, whether that be through spoken word or services and performances. The importance and remembrance of history continues to remain a core component of the Juneteenth celebration on the day and even after the celebration has ended and members return to their homes and communities.

This is American history. We are the history of America,” said Bishop Terry Dorsey, president of the Black History Committee of the Hudson Valley.

“I feel that our generations are losing their history,” said committee member Julie Nicholas. “You need to know where you started from and what you’ve been through, and then where you’re at today and how much further we got to go. If you drop your history, you will lose. You will not be concerned about whatever’s going on when it comes to your people.”

Dorsey and Nicholas concurred that Black history should be taught in the local churches and Dorsey further stated that Black history should not be kept from being taught in schools.

As families made their way in the park on Wednesday afternoon, the sun shone high above and children spent time in the bouncy houses, enjoyed the trampoline areas and cooled down from an inflatable fire hydrant that splashed water. On the other side of the park, several grills and other staging areas prepared food for the community to be served during the afternoon. With another hot day ahead, a City of Newburgh Water Department truck made an appearance to provide residents with water to drink.

Elected officials such as Orange County Legislator Genesis Ramos, Assemblyman Jonathan Jacobson, Councilwoman Giselle Martinez and Councilman Bob Sklarz joined in the celebration. “I feel good. I’m in the sun, I’m with the kids, I’m with the community,” said Councilman Omari Shakur. “It’s a good day, and that’s what it’s supposed to be about, unity in the community.”

Throughout the afternoon, music played for people to listen and dance to while browsing local vendors such as Perfect Sweets and Leo’s Hot Dogs for some treats or browsing homemade goods such as clothes and other attire with colorful patterns. Performances from the Newburgh Armory Unity Center dancers and local artists were conducted on the Downing Park Amphitheater stage and people enjoyed time with one another on the special day.

Gayle, owner of Cream Puffs on South Street, took a brief moment later in the day to thank all those in attendance, thank the supporters of the event and thank the community for the opportunity to hold the event once again in the City of Newburgh. Elected officials and community organizations such as Newburgh Youthbuild, Habitat for Humanity, MARCS Friends and SNUG Newburgh were also recognized for their presence and support for the event. As the day went on, families laughed, ate food and enjoyed time together as the another Juneteenth celebration drew to a close.