Juneteenth 2026 Date, History, and Closures
Juneteenth 2026: Observed Fri, June 19 – 6th year as a federal holiday; history, closures, and this year’s theme.
The City of Middletown will host the sixth annual Juneteenth festival with a multi-venue day of community events, celebrations, food, free digital portraits and shopping on June 19.
The event lineup will include live musical performances with African drumming and dancing, all-day DJ RP Beats, a cultural market, film screening, a community lesson by LaDopeSol and a wellness walk.
“This culture-filled family-friendly event honors the historic emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States,” said an announcement from the office of Middletown Mayor Joe DeStefano, “and celebrates the enduring contributions of Black culture, community, entrepreneurship and excellence.”
Other hosting partners include the NAACP-Middletown Branch, Sadie’s Bookseum and MidHudson Chocolate Milk.
The events held in downtown Middletown are free to join and the first 50 people will receive a free “culture-filled swag bag.”
Middletown Juneteenth schedule includes film, Black Biz Expo
The program kicks off at 11:30 a.m. with a film screening of “Judas and the Black Messiah” at Middletown Paramount Theatre.
From 1-5 p.m., the second annual NAACP Black Biz Expo will be held in Erie Way Park, featuring soul food vendors and artisans offering handmade crafts.
At 3:30 p.m., an educational, community freedom walk around the park will honor Opal Lee, the “grandmother of Juneteenth,” for her 100th birthday this year. The walk participants may join a giveaway raffle to win an Opal Lee icon Barbie doll created by Mattel.
From 4-6 p.m., Erie Way Park will feature live performances with African drumming and dancing, spoken word poetry and music by Kofago Dance Ensemble, YvNv and others.
From 7-9 p.m., John F. Degnan Square will host the band Smittie.
Locations
Erie Way Park is located on 1-31 Union St. in Middletown.
Paramount Theatre is located on 17 South St. in Middletown.
John F. Degnan Square is located on 29-37 West Main St. in Middletown.
For further information, visit middletownny.gov.
Contact reporter Vandana Saras at [email protected] and @orangecountynyreporter on Instagram.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.recordonline.com ’
