BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Juneteenth Lehigh Valley came to SteelStacks in style on Saturday, bringing a rich display of Black music and culture for the community to embrace, enjoy and celebrate.
In its third year, the ceremony commemorated the anniversary of the order issued by Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger on June 19, 1865. The order proclaimed freedom for slaves in Texas.
- Juneteenth Lehigh Valley came to the SteelStacks on Saturday
- The event featured a showcase of 50 years of hip-hop music
- Additional Juneteenth celebrations are happening in Allentown's Cedar Beach Park Saturday and Sunday, and Bethlehem's NAACP will host a ceremony Saturday evening
Originally a Galveston holiday, it has since spread across the nation, and in 2021, President Joe Biden made it official by signing the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act.
“It is a time of liberation and a time of celebration, even though the world is not perfect. And we understand that – there's still atrocities going on, and we don't negate that. But we also at the same time don't want the nation to end our story just with slavery. It might have begun that way in the United States, but we didn't end there."Karen Britt, president of Juneteenth Lehigh Valley
Karen Britt, president of Juneteenth Lehigh Valley, started the big day with an invocation and greeting, thanking the volunteers and sponsors for their extensive work putting together Saturday’s Juneteenth event, a gathering paying homage to the vibrant culture of Black men and women in America.
Observances have been held throughout the week, starting with flag raisings in Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton last weekend.
“It is a time of liberation and a time of celebration, even though the world is not perfect. And we understand that – there's still atrocities going on, and we don't negate that. But we also at the same time don't want the nation to end our story just with slavery. It might have begun that way in the United States, but we didn't end there,” Britt said.
“We contributed while we were enslaved, and then even more so outside of slavery, and we still do, and it is something for everyone.”
A week of Black history and culture
For 2023, Juneteenth Lehigh Valley has expanded its celebration to a whole week, building up to the Juneteenth parade in Easton, set for Monday.
“Making it a week allows us to move the Black literature to one night, and we concentrated just on that; having the black hair beauty and fashion expo on one night, and then we just concentrated on that. It just made each event even more special,” Britt said.
“This is new for the first time like this for one week, and I think we'll continue on that way, and just add more.”
On Saturday, the gathering at the SteelStacks campus in South Bethlehem focused on the history of Black music in America – coincidentally, June is Black Music Month as well – along with plenty of traditional clothing, food and fun for everyone.
“We're going to have a special tribute to 50 years of hip hop, born out of our community and paying homage to that,” Britt said. “It shows and exhibits the richness of the culture, that the expressions are varied, and [we] embrace them all.”
Children got an opportunity to enjoy some story time with NFL player Andre Williams (a Parkland High grad), cake decorating and other activities throughout the day. Folks could be seen proudly sporting Juneteenth flags as they made their way through the festivities.
“I'm just very glad that we as a community are celebrating the historical significance of Juneteenth," said volunteer Baron Vanderburg. "The ride into Galveston so many years ago has caused us to experience a lot of the great freedoms that we have today. America was not free until everybody was free, so this is a great celebration.”
Even before the musical acts were underway, visitors began streaming into the Stacks, exploring vendors, and connecting with their fellow community members. Blessed with ideal conditions, Britt said she anticipated a wonderful day.
“The crowds are coming – I anticipate a really big crowd. We did a lot more marketing this year, I would say, but yeah, the crowds are definitely coming,” Britt said with a laugh. "And this is a beautiful day. We're blessed with wonderful weather and it's just going to be a great time.”
BIA Dance Studio exhibits incredible performances, spreads message of togetherness
Dominick Boyd, choreographer and owner of Born Into the Arts Dance Studio — also known as BIA — for 17 years, said he was proud to be able to bring his students out to display their skills for a diverse crowd of people to appreciate.
But it wasn’t always that way – years ago, Boyd said, there wasn’t much opportunity for young people to celebrate and embrace Black culture.
“Now, where we are, 17 years later, we’re able to do that, and it’s something that a lot of my students can identify with themselves, and feel proud about who they are,” Boyd said. “It’s a blessing, so I'm happy [Juneteenth Lehigh Valley] reached out to me. I do this for the love and the passion.”
Boyd noted he was inspired to cultivate and present elements of Black culture because he found it to be lacking in the area, and felt the community as a whole could benefit from celebrating that art together.
“That's the beauty behind Juneteenth – not just our freedom, but the freedom of the human race to see what we can create together. We wouldn't do that separately. We can learn from each other, from each culture. That’s what hip-hop is,” Boyd said.
Two of Boyd’s young star students, Nevaeh Bolcy and Cekyra Ward, came out for an exemplary performance set to various songs, nailing their choreography and eliciting cheers from the crowd.
“It felt good because I had my friend by my friend right beside me. She makes me feel very happy and less nervous, and we have a lot of fun next to each other, and we just connect really well,” Bolcy said, adding Juneteenth is a great opportunity to spend time with friends, learn about her ancestors’ culture, and experience it all without being judged for her skin tone.
Ward agreed, saying she loved the chance to dance with her friend and honor the holiday.
“It was nice. The only reason I dance is with friends, I feel good, and it’s like BIA is a special home to me,” Ward said, adding the Juneteenth celebration made her feel proud to be Black.
Allentown offers entertainment at Cedar Beach Park
Over in Allentown, Juneteenth celebrations kicked off on Saturday morning with basketball and flag football tournaments, along with free swim lessons at Cedar Beach Park.
The fun continues into the afternoon with free pool access, yoga in the park, a variety of vendors and entertainment by DJ Prince Hakim and Basketball DJ Swift Adames.
Opening ceremonies and a Juneteenth Pageant Coronation and Ceremony are set for 5 p.m. at the park’s main stage.
Festivities will continue into Sunday, with the basketball tournament scheduled to start at 9 a.m., along with vendors in the park. Yoga in the park kicks off at 12:30 p.m.
Those interested in participating in any activities can register on Allentown’s MyREC site.
The Bethlehem NAACP is set to host its own Juneteenth event this evening outside City Hall, starting at 6 p.m. Check back later for updates.
