Cherry Hill, NJ- June 2, 2021 – The Cherry Hill African American Civic Association in conjunction with Cherry Hill Township and Cherry Hill Police Department is holding its First Annual Juneteenth Parade and Festival on Saturday, June 19, 2021 from 10 am to 5 pm at Croft Farm in Cherry Hill. Our Grand Marshalls are Mayor Susan Shin Angulo of Cherry Hill, Mayor Colleen Bianco Bezich of Haddonfield, and Lloyd Henderson, president of the Camden County East Branch of the NAACP.

Juneteenth is the commemoration of the day, June 19, 1865, that enslaved Americans received word of their freedom on the beach in Galveston, Texas. It is the oldest, continuous celebration of the end of American slavery in the United States. Its celebration has spread from Texas throughout the United States and the world. Governor Murphy has signed into legislation designating the third Friday in June a state and public holiday.

This year’s Juneteenth Parade and Festival has several sponsors: Cherry Hill Education Association (CHEA), Haddonfield Education Association (HEA), Mall Chevrolet, Wawa, South Jersey Food Bank, Penn Medicine, and Horace Mann Education Foundation.

Over twenty-five vendors, face painting, sack racing, DJ DeLocs, Cherry Hill East Jazz Band, Cecil Leonard Ensemble, vocalist Dioana Gayle, rapper Deige, poet & spoken word artist LOT Da Wordgician, hip hop artist Kstaff, P.A.C.E. Brass Band, Universal African Dance Ensemble, Dr. Daisy Century, NJ Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club, South Jersey Teenshop, South Jersey Street Legend Car Club, Big Beautiful Women, NAACP Youth Council, African Stilt Walkers and area churches will be in the parade and on stage. Healthcare providers: Camden County Health Department, Cooper Hospital, Penn Medicine and Virtua will provide screenings, COVID vaccines and health resource information.

“Juneteenth is a day of reflection, a day of renewal, a pride-filled day. It is a moment in time taken to appreciate the African American experience. It is inclusive of all races, ethnicities and nationalities – as nothing is more comforting than the hand of a friend.” Juneteenth.com