NACC to host Juneteenth parade and celebration

Niagara Arts and Cultural Center Press Release

Niagara Falls Juneteenth weekend celebrations will kick off on Saturday, June 14, with a parade and community art and cultural festival hosted by the Niagara Arts and Cultural Center and organized by the Juneteenth committee and the Niagara Storm Youth Organization.

The celebration of freedom and family will start with a parade of community groups and marching bands along Pine Avenue, departing from the City Market at 11 a.m. to the NACC. The lineup will feature organizations from across the community. The parade will start at the City Market on Pine Avenue and will end at 1201 Pine Ave., to kick off the opening ceremonies of the Juneteenth celebration at the NACC.

The NACC Juneteenth celebration will run from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., with continuous entertainment on two stages, and over 40 local community groups, artists and vendors coming together to celebrate Freedom Day,

Entertainment will be provided by local musicians, poets and dancers, including: Magnetic Flow, Johnny Armani, Niagara Storm Youth Organization – Cheer & Dance, Janet Dunstan Dance, Judah Deliverance Ministry Praise Angels, The Levites Dance Co., Bloom, Mack716, Blaze Athletic Cheerleading, DW Soul, Line dancing with Trina McClinton, Sherri Darlene – Spoken Word, Prophetess, and Stratosphere.

Participating vendors include: Arlene Brunson Center for Children, Betty’s Cafe, Blessings of the Bling, Creatively Yourz, Fashions by Karen, iBelieve Enterprises, In the Mix, Magickal Momentos, Nette’s Designs, Sam’s Club, We Believe, NFMMC – P3, Writefully Unique, Dr. Tina Schultz, DreamZzz, and Lillie Pearls Fashion.

This array of talent and community is made possible through the donations of sponsors Cornerstone Federal Credit Union, the New York State Council of the Arts, the City of Niagara Falls, Modern Disposal, Wegmans, Tops, KeyBank and the Niagara County Legislature, as well as additional local, small businesses.

"Juneteenth is more than a date in history – it is a powerful reminder of the resilience, strength, and unwavering hope of a people who, even in the face of injustice, never stopped believing in freedom,” Niagara County Legislator Jeffrey Elder said. “As we honor this day, let us reflect on the work still ahead and recommit ourselves to building a more just, equitable and united future for all. UNITY is the last part of community! Come out and celebrate one and all."

Along with the live music and entertainment, the Juneteenth event will also feature a community tent in the center of the festival filled with opportunities to learn more about the history of Juneteenth, with activities for kids, and will serve as a place to reunite with friends and family.

It is no surprise the event has such a family-oriented theme considering the co-chairs who helped put the event together: sisters Edyth Crawford, and Daina McCray.

“Juneteenth is a time to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States – and for families and the community to come together to celebrate freedom,” Crawford said. “That is why the committee decided to make ‘Family Reunion’ the theme of this year’s event. We have so much to teach the younger generations here. Our young people are growing up unaware of history, our heritage, and the victories we fought for. So much of our history has been lost. So, it’s time for us to remember.

“This year my daughter, Ashley Crawford, and committee member Daina McCray, will be putting together a presentation on the history of Juneteenth for the community tent. We are working with local schools to engage young people to write essays and create art reflecting on the theme, ‘What Juneteenth Means to Me.’ ”

Juneteenth festivalgoers who are inspired to learn more about the fight for freedom, can visit the Townsend Gallery on the first floor of the NACC. There, they will have free access to the NACC's permanent, interactive installation honoring the Underground Railroad, “Freedom Crossing.” This year-round exhibit features some of the history and stories of the UGRR in WNY. It is sponsored by the Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Area and the Niagara Falls National Heritage Area.

For more information, to volunteer, or get involved with this year’s event, visit www.thenacc.org/juneteenth-festival or contact the NACC office: 716-282-7530, Ext. 100; info@thenacc.org.