Juneteenth 2021 In Middlesex County: Your Guide To Local Events

EDISON, NJ — Middlesex County is all set to honor the 156th anniversary of Juneteenth with a series of in-person and remote events.

As part of New Jersey’s first official commemoration of Juneteenth, the County will begin celebrations with the Central Jersey Chapters of NAACP and the Arts Institute of Middlesex County mural painting event in New Brunswick on Wednesday, June 16 and Thursday, June 17, concluding with multiple flag raisings across the County.

The events are hosted with the Metuchen – Edison Area, New Brunswick Area, and Perth Amboy Area Branches of the NAACP in partnership with the Arts Institute of Middlesex County and the New Brunswick Cultural Center, Inc.

“Middlesex County is proud to be part of New Jersey’s first official celebration of Juneteenth,” said County Commissioner Director Ronald G. Rios.

“In close partnership with NAACP branches throughout the County, the Arts Institute of Middlesex County and the New Brunswick Cultural Center, Inc. have organized a slate of events that celebrate Juneteenth while educating the public about this important day in our nation’s history.”

Juneteenth is an annual holiday celebrated June 19 that commemorates the day in 1865 when enslaved people of Texas finally learned slavery had been abolished and that they were free.

New Brunswick’s busiest intersections will close on Wednesday and Thursday for a mural painting event. Artist Luis-Miguel Caraballo (aka Louie Blaka) will lead the mural painting at the intersection of George Street, Liberty Street, and Livingston Avenue.

The celebration will continue with a combination of live and virtual events including music and dance performances and speeches.

“As New Jersey recognizes Juneteenth as an official State holiday for the first time, we in Middlesex County are proud of the way our arts community is coming together to honor this important event in our nation’s history,” said County Commissioner Chanelle Scott McCullum in a statement.

“In addition to offering a mixture of cultural and educational events, the Juneteenth celebrations are a combination of in-person and virtual events to ensure they are accessible to all.”

Here's a list of the County’s Juneteenth events:

• Wednesday, June 16, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., and Thursday, June 17, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.: Central Jersey Chapters of NAACP (Greater New Brunswick, Metuchen Edison, and Perth Amboy branches) and the Arts Institute of Middlesex County mural painting at the intersection of George Street, Liberty Street, and Livingston Avenue in New Brunswick.

• Wednesday, June 16, 7 p.m.: “Juneteenth: A Reflection on Social Justice and Emancipation” Zoom lecture hosted East Brunswick Public Library. To join the lecture, click on this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81525722561. The meeting ID is 815 2572 2561. Attendees can also dial in via telephone: 929 436 2866

• Thursday, June 17, 3 p.m. – 4 p.m.: New Brunswick Area NAACP in-person program in Monument Square Park, 2 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick. Event will include live performances, speeches, and nonprofit organizations focusing on vaccination information and public health.

• Saturday, June 19, 11:30 a.m.: NAACP Metuchen Edison Area Branch Juneteenth virtual/hybrid celebration including music and dance performances and speeches. To register, click here

• Saturday, June 19, 3 p.m.: Juneteenth Flag Raising at City Hall Circle in Perth Amboy. For more information, click here.

Additional information on the County's Juneteenth celebrations can be found here: http://www.middlesexcountynj.gov/Government/Departments/BDE/Pages/Juneteenth.aspx

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