From 12 to 4 p.m. this Monday, the sun shined on Wooster Memorial Grove Park in Walden for the village’s third annual celebration of Juneteenth.

The Town of Montgomery Sacred Place of My Ancestors (SPOMA) Committee hosted and orchestrated the event in honor of Juneteenth, a federal holiday on June 19 that celebrates Black history, continuing freedom, equality and culture. It more specifically marks the day that slavery fell in Galveston, Texas, which happened two years after the Emancipation Proclamation.

SPOMA was orchestrated to revitalize the Historical African American and Native American Cemetery on Route 416.

Event attendees sported Juneteenth t-shirts and walked around to different booths which consisted of businesses, local organizations, food, drinks and more. There was also live music from DJ Mizz, face painting, free raffles and a variety of Juneteenth and other history books.

The event commenced with a prayer, followed by Elect Lady Cassandra Dale Borden performing a rendition of “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”

Mercedes Ortiz, a SPOMA committee member and event organizer was beyond pleased with the turnout. “It’s a beautiful big turnout. Every year it’s gonna grow, but this year we have more people out here and it’s nice,” Ortiz mentioned.

Ortiz also pointed out that they were able to provide free food because of donations from ShopRite. Other sponsors for the event included Hunter Insurance, 845 Unity, NAACP Newburgh and the Town of Montgomery.

While people could grab a burger or hotdog from the grill, there were also food vendors including soul food truck Jacked Juice and Yeah Mon, a Walden-based restaurant that serves authentic Jamaican cuisine.

Some vendors included Pynk Bliss, a skincare and self-care line owned by Fiona Bouloute; the African Cultural Center in Newburgh; the Valley Central High School Cultural Diversity Club; New York Life; Walden Josephine Library; Khloè Bella Skincare and more.

Montgomery Historian Mary Ellen Matise also sat at a booth with loads of history for people to read.

Over a hundred people stopped by to celebrate Juneteenth, a holiday that honors freedom, justice and equality.

“Thank you for coming to celebrate Juneteenth with us,” Ortiz said to guests.