9 Ways To Celebrate Juneteenth In Bergen

From jamborees to story times, these community events honor the past and look to the future.
Cheryl De Leon,
2 Juneteenth

Officially declared a federal holiday in 2021, Juneteenth is celebrated annually on June 19 to commemorate the ending of slavery in the United States. Sometimes called “America’s second Independence Day,” it’s a chance to celebrate community, reflect on the past and educate for the future.

Looking for ways to observe Juneteenth this year? Consider donating to local non-profits that benefit Bergen’s Black community, or grabbing dinner at one of the county’s many Black-owned restaurants. If you’re looking for a get-together in addition to those options, our county has several programs, including the following events.

  • June 14: Fair Lawn commemorates the day with a Juneteenth celebration at 5:30 p.m. All residents are invited to this event at the Memorial Park Picnic Grove.
  • June 15: Teaneck hosts a silent memorial walk at 8 a.m. from the Martin Luther King Jr. monument on the Fairleigh Dickinson University Hackensack campus to the burial grounds on Pomander Walk.
  • June 15: Head to Overpeck Park in Ridgefield Park for the Bergen NAACP’s 2024 Juneteenth celebration. Local vendors and community leaders and activists will be on hand from noon to 5 p.m.
  • June 18: Stop by Bergen Community College in Paramus for its Juneteenth flag raising ceremony at 10 a.m. There will be a presentation of speakers before the ceremony to honor Black and African Americans.
  • June 19: For a fun, outdoors event, take the kids to the Flat Rock Nature Center in Englewood at 10 a.m. for its annual Kids Juneteenth Nature Walk. Registration is required, and make sure you wear good walking shoes!
  • June 19: Stop by Teaneck’s Juneteenth Flag Raising Ceremony at noon to honor the community. The township’s Juneteenth Jamboree begins immediately after the flag raising. Free ice cream will be given to the first 100 attendees.
  • June 19: At the Bergen County administration building in Hackensack, local officials will commemorate the day with the Bergen County Juneteenth ceremony.
  • June 29: At the Fort Lee Library from 2 to 3 p.m., X-Quisite House of Dance gives a special performance in honor of Juneteenth.

In addition, Bergen County will be giving open tours of the historic African American Gethsemane Cemetery in Little Ferry on June 15, June 19 and June 21.

How are you honoring Juneteenth in our county? Let us know on Instagram @bergenmagnj.

 

Categories: Bergen Health & Life