Juneteenth celebration expanding in Scranton, also planned in Wilkes-Barre
The Black Scranton Project is expanding its Juneteenth celebrations from one day to three, with the addition of a punk and alternative music festival, a church service and brunch.
Juneteenth, or June 19, commemorates the end of slavery in the U.S. and marks the day that delayed news of emancipation reached a group of enslaved people in Texas. It is a federal holiday, closing many government buildings.
'This year, we'll be celebrating on Juneteenth, so that's going to be exciting,' said Glynis M. Johns, founder and CEO of the Black Scranton Project. Juneteenth is her favorite holiday.
Events are free and open to the public.
The Black Scranton Project 6th Juneteenth Jubilee block party is Thursday, June 19, from 2 to 8 p.m., at the 1902 N. Main Ave., Scranton, center. It includes free roller skating in a temporary rink, food, a DJ, artists, giveaways, vendors, games and ice cream.
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Black Scranton Project founder Glynis Johns dances on roller skates at the Juneteenth Jubilee Block Party at the Black Scranton Center for Arts in Culture in Scranton on June 15, 2024. (TIMES-TRIBUNE FILE)
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Scenes from the 2024 Juneteenth Jubilee Block Party at the Black Scranton Project. (TIMES-TRIBUNE FILE)
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Black Scranton Project founder Glynis Johns dances on roller skates at the Juneteenth Jubilee Block Party at the Black Scranton Center for Arts in Culture in Scranton on June 15, 2024. (TIMES-TRIBUNE FILE)
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After area musicians reached out, a punk and alternative music festival was added Friday, June 20, from 2 to 6 p.m.
'It's our take on Afro-punk, kind of inviting local and also just kind of regional Black and brown performers to come and have a platform and a stage. I know it's always harder for alternative style artists to put themselves out there,' Johns said.
The Black Scranton Project wants to support 'all kinds of art,' Johns said.
'One, because Black is not a monolith. And two, there are so many great artists and creatives in the region that are doing amazing things.'
Several musicians will perform. Pucker Up! is one of the performers.
On Sunday, June 22, the Black Scranton Project is collaborating with Bethel AME Church to mark Juneteenth at the church's 11 a.m. worship service. It will include several visiting choirs.
'We want it to be not only an event at Bethel, but also a community event,' said the Rev. Mark Alexander, pastor of the 716 N. Washington Ave., Scranton, church.
Juneteenth celebrations are a chance to recognize Black contributions, Alexander said. 'We've never gotten the recognition, and it's time we get the recognition for what we have done to make this country great.'
Juneteenth is also a time to focus on 'what God has brought us through,' he said. 'God has never left us, nor put us in a position where we did not have hope. So we should always have hope that there will be a better day coming, and better times coming, even through tribulations that we may have. There is always something to have hope about,' Alexander said.
Bethel AME is the oldest Black church in Scranton.
Back at the Black Scranton Project Center for Arts & Culture, the Sunday celebration will end with brunch at 1 p.m.
'It's going to be a fun, dynamic weekend,' Johns said, 'and we are excited to kind of try out new kinds of events, bring the community together,' she said.
Information and contact details at blackscranton.org and social media.
In Wilkes-Barre, UNITY Collective is holding a Juneteenth block party Thursday, June 19, on Public Square from 5 to 10 p.m. There will be music and dancing, food, interactive art, poetry, speakers, community organizations and vendors. Information is on social media.
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