Mahwah Hosting Inaugural Juneteenth Celebration

MAHWAH, NJ — Juneteenth is Saturday, and the Mahwah community will come together to host the first town-wide celebration.

The Mahwah Alliance for Change announced the event, which follows the recent passage of a resolution which officially recognized the holiday in the township. It is scheduled for Saturday at 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Commodore Perry Field.

According to the Alliance, "the celebration will include live music, refreshments, DJ entertainment, and inspirational remarks from local town officials, including the Mayor, James Wysocki, as well as faith leaders Rev. Lemuel Brown of the Mt. Bethel Baptist Church of Ridgewood, Rev. Kenneth Hyman of Mt. Zion AME church in Mahwah, and Rev. Steve Huston, Co-Leader/Resource Presbyter of the Presbytery of Northern New Jersey."

In addition, students from the township, and community members, "will lend their voice to celebrate the significance of the holiday."

Odette Hirschinger is the organizer of the event. In a statement, she described the importance of the holiday.

"Juneteenth has been a long ignored holiday outside of black communities and it’s important that all citizens recognize, acknowledge and celebrate the significance of this holiday," Hirschinger said.

"We have to remember the history of this county, the good and the bad, if not, we’re doomed to repeat it. As a resident of Mahwah, I’m elated to see my community for the first time celebrating with other communities of color."

Juneteenth, which is short for June 19th, is a 155-year-old holiday that celebrates the emancipation of African Americans from slavery in the United States.

"Juneteenth today celebrates African-American freedom and achievement, while encouraging continuous self-development and respect for all cultures," according to Juneteenth.com in an explanation of the holiday.

On June 19, 1865, Union Gen. Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, to inform enslaved African Americans that the Civil War was over and slavery had been abolished.

Granger publicly read General Order No. 3, which said: "The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free."
Granger's announcement implemented the Emancipation Proclamation in Texas, more than 2-1/2 years after President Abraham Lincoln first issued it in 1863 . Initially, the presidential order caused little change in Texas due to the lack of Union troops to enforce it.

READ MORE: What Is Juneteenth? 5 Things To Know About The Holiday

Additional reporting by Gus Saltonstall.