A hot and sunny day set the stage for a successful inaugural Lewes Juneteenth Celebration June 25 in George H.P. Smith Park. Hosted by the Lewes African American Heritage Commission, the event featured an afternoon of entertainment, short lectures, poetry, dancing and more. Dozens of mostly Black-owned businesses and organizations also set up tents in the park for visitors to purchase attire, accessories, memorabilia or to learn more about the mission of nonprofits.
The Rev. George Edwards Sr. of Friendship Baptist Church opens the Juneteenth festivities.
The Delaware Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club set up a tent at the event to educate the public about the racism, sacrifices and hardships the Buffalo Soldiers had to endure. The Delaware club rides its motorcycles to represent the horses ridden by the Buffalo Soldiers in the 1800s. Shown are (l-r) Jersey Boy, Butch Davis, Doug Holden, Debbie Davis, Michele Holden, Law Dog and Skip Hutson.
Representing Southern Delaware Alliance for Racial Justice are Jan Daily, left, and Gail Jackson.
The Rev. Dr. Deborah McCaffity discusses the purpose of Juneteenth.
There were plenty of food trucks set up at the event.
Several rows of tents offered visitors an opportunity to patronize small businesses or learn more from nonprofit organizations.
Martina Duffy owns and operates Inspired Scents.
Jane Hovington of the Richard Allen Coalition takes a few minutes to talk to the crowd. Hovington organized Georgetown’s Juneteenth event.
Lewes Mayor Andrew Williams reads a City of Lewes proclamation.
Herman Jackson works the tent for the Nanticoke Indian Association.
Alex Wiggins feels the music as he plays trombone with Christy Taylor & Golden Branch.
Emcee Diaz Bonville introduces Christy Taylor & Golden Branch.
The Juneteenth Celebration was set up around artist Rose DeSiano’s Absent Monuments, which highlight unsung heroes, heroines and underrepresented communities.
Music teacher Christy Taylor on piano is joined by a collection of her students, which goes by the name Golden Branch.
Cooper Fenton plays drums for Golden Branch.
The Bethel AME Gospel Choir performs for the Juneteenth crowd.
Constance Johnson of CED Designs LLC displays one of her custom T-shirts. The business also offers hoodies, wine glasses, mugs and more.
Cisley Turpin represents the Delta Sigma Theta Inc. group at its table.
Half Stockley shows off his many hand-crafted decoys and wooden novelties.
Dr. Nichelle Mason of the American Sign Language Ministry signs the Black national anthem, “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”
The Bethel AME Gospel Choir’s bongos player feels the music.
