The Developing Artist Collaboration, in partnership with West Side New Beginnings, the West Rehoboth Legacy Committee, community residents and local leaders, invites the public to the 2026 West Rehoboth Juneteenth Celebration from 5 to 9 p.m., Friday, June 19, on Central Street in West Rehoboth. Admission and parking are free.

The annual celebration honors the history, resilience and cultural contributions of West Rehoboth's historic African American community through storytelling, art, music, food and community gathering. Taking place across Central Street, the West Side Creative Market, DAC Artpothecary and the West Rehoboth Legacy Mural, the event brings together residents and visitors to celebrate both the legacy and future of the neighborhood.

The evening will feature the Juneteenth Creative Market with 15 Black Delaware artists and small business owners, oral histories shared by West Rehoboth families, guided tours of the West Rehoboth Legacy Mural led by Terrance Vann and Antoine Vann, and the ringing of the bell at Mt. Pleasant Methodist Church. Guests can also enjoy food for purchase, live music and entertainment throughout the evening.

The event will also feature a special oral history experience with longtime community members Hurley Waples, Lucille Hood, Waynne Paskins and Angela Miller, who will share family photographs, treasured artifacts and personal stories passed down through generations. These living histories provide visitors with a rare opportunity to connect directly with the people and families whose experiences helped shape West Rehoboth into the community it is today.

Inside the DAC Artpothecary, visitors can experience The Colors of You, a special exhibition by Kreator Mills exploring Black presence at the beach through archival imagery, storytelling and contemporary artistic expression that connects the past, present and future. A wide variety of artistic mediums will range from mural work to live tattooing alongside six entertainment acts.

The celebration will also feature acclaimed author Alexs D. Pate, author of "West of Rehoboth," who will offer a public reading at 6:30 p.m.

"This event has become an important part of preserving and celebrating the history of West Rehoboth," said Leah Beach, founder of DAC. "As development continues, and new homes and businesses emerge throughout the neighborhood, it becomes even more important that the stories, traditions and legacy of this community are not lost. We are incredibly proud of our relationship with West Side New Beginnings, our neighbors and the families who call West Rehoboth home. This celebration is about honoring the people who built this community while creating space for future generations to gather, connect and be seen."

To learn more, go to  developingarts.org/westrehoboth.