What better way to Celebrate Freedom than with a parade?
And Peekskill will be hosting a grand one on Saturday, June 15th beginning at Noon.
Peekskill, NY – On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress declared that the 13 American Colonies were no longer subject (and subordinate) to the Monarch of Britain and were now united, free and independent states. All Americans celebrate Independence Day every July 4th, but it was not until 89 years later that African Americans got to truly celebrate their freedom. ”Juneteenth, also known as Juneteenth Independence Day or Freedom Day, is an American holiday that commemorates the June 19, 1865, announcement of the abolition of slavery in the U.S. state of Texas, and more generally the emancipation of enslaved African Americans throughout the former Confederate States of America. Its name is a portmanteau of “June” and “nineteenth”, the date of its celebration.” This announcement came two years after the Emancipation Proclamation became law.
The Peekskill Juneteenth Heritage Committee and the City of Peekskill are hosting the ninth annual Juneteenth Parade and Celebration. The parade will be led by our three Grand Marshals.
Joining our Grand Marshals will be our City Officials led by Mayor Andre Rainey, as
well as representatives from local community groups. And we have a great line up of
bands to get the crowd clapping their hands and stomping their feet. We have the Berean Community Drum Line, X-Factor Drum Line, United Panamanian Veterans Marching Band, Drums and Bugles Int’l Bands Assoc., and hometown favorites, the Peekskill HS Marching Band.
Even before the parade starts at Noon, we will have the City South Steel Orchestra downtown at 11am entertaining visitors to the Farmer’s Market and folks arriving early for the parade. They will be at the Hudson River Health Care Center on Main Street near the corner of Bank St.
The entertainment will continue throughout the day with MC’s CeCe Songbird
and Andre (Noodle) Rainey, and will feature some of Peekskill’s great local
talent, DJ Pete Peterson, Bria the Artist (neo-soul), Kid Lacey (rap),
Jaquan (R&B), Ernest Billups, Tribe of Levi (gospel). Our other headliner,
Peekskill’s own Ray Blue, Internationally renowned Jazz Saxophonist, will
close out our wonderful lineup of entertainment.
The parade will begin on Park Street by the AME Zion Church, turn right onto Broad Street, home of the beautiful new Peekskill Central Firehouse, then turn left onto Main Street and continue to Nelson Avenue where it will turn left. The reviewing stand will be on Nelson Avenue in front of the Peekskill Library. Check our Facebook page, 2019 Juneteenth Parade & Celebration for up to date information and video clips of some of our bands and entertainers. We invite everyone from all surrounding communities to come and enjoy a wonderful Parade and Celebration in beautiful Peekskill, NY.
