Hamilton Hill Arts Center JuneteenthSchenectady, N.Y. – Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the US. The Hamilton Hill Arts Center (HHAC) introduced the celebration of Juneteenth to the Capital Region in 2001 and it has become an important community celebration in Schenectady and the entire Capital Region.

This free, 2-day event starts on Friday, June 20 in Vale Cemetery in remembrance of our ancestors.  Organized by the Community Fathers and Vale Cemetery, it takes place from 6 to 8 in the African American Burial Ground at Vale Cemetery and will honor Walter Simpkins who recently joined the ancestors and his alter ego Moses Viney, It will close with an Ice Cream Social provided by Stewarts Ice Cream.

The celebration continues on Saturday, June 21 in Central Park with a day of entertainment, workshops and celebration. Saturday’s program starts at 1:00 in Central Park with a parade; the route will be disclosed closer to the date of the celebration. The parade is followed by a day of entertainment on the stage, workshops of various kinds in the Pavilion, and an Art Exhibit. There will be activities for children, and vendors of all sorts.

Juneteenth is made possible with funding from the Schenectady County Initiative, sponsorships, vendors and advertisers.  For information, on how you can be involved, including volunteering, vending, marching in the parade, exhibiting in our Art Show and being a sponsor, please visit our website www.hamiltonhillartscenter.org or The Hamilton Arts Center Facebook page. You can also reach out to: Rachel Conn, Executive Director of the Hamilton Hill Arts Center at ed@hamiltonhillartscenter.org, Miki Conn, Juneteenth Co-Chair at mikiconn@gmail.com or Betty Harper, Juneteenth Co-Chair at longtallgoodie39@gmail.com.

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