During Monday’s city council work session, Councilwoman Regina Brackman, R-Ward 3, discussed the event with the council and what people should expect on the weekend of June 19 to June 22.

“This will be like the third year that we’ve done an event in the Wintergarden Plaza,” Brackman said. “We’re looking forward to that again. We’ve got a band coming in from Erie. They’ve been well received over the past two years, so we’re bringing them back again.”

Brackman encouraged council members to come out and “get your boogie on” and enjoy the evening.

Saturday and Sunday are set for the Juneteenth festival at Jackson-Taylor Park. The festival will include food and product vendors, kids activities, a family African drum and dance workshop, Erie African Dance Youth Group, a Sunday morning breakfast and worship service, and more live dance and music, along with the scholarship presentation on Sunday at 2 p.m. Brackman said one of the main focuses of the event is awarding these scholarships every year.

A group of people gather as a part of the Jamestown Juneteenth festival in 2022. Photo courtesy of Juneteenth of Jamestown, NY’s Facebook page

“So come out, enjoy, support and have a good time,” Brackman said.

Also kicking off the event weekend on the actual Juneteenth day on Thursday, Brackman said there will be a flag raising and Juneteenth documentary viewing at the Robert H Jackson Center. At 5 p.m. there will be a brief ceremony of flying the Juneteenth flag, followed by a viewing of the documentary, “Faith and Freedom”.

“It’s a little bit about Juneteenth and how faith was a big factor for the enslaved people as they were learning of their freedom,” Brackman said. “So, a lot of things are going on this June and it was pointed out to me that it is four days this year, which is a lot of work and a lot of time. So, come on out and support us.”

The full Jamestown Juneteenth events begin with this special event Thursday, followed by a live performance of the Breeze Band and Boogie in the Garden on Friday from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Wintergarden Plaza, and more Juneteenth festival events on Saturday and Sunday June 21 and 22. For a full schedule of events and more information visit Juneteenth of Jamestown, NY on Facebook.