The African American Cultural Collaborative of Mercer County (AACCofMC), in partnership with Senator Shirley Turner, Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson, Assemblyman Anthony Verrelli, and Outdoor Equity Alliance, are planning an inaugural three-day, city-wide Juneteenth celebration.
The Juneteenth celebration is scheduled for June 18-20 in Trenton. The presenting sponsors are Wells Fargo and St. Francis Medical Center, according to a press release.
An invite only kick-off will start the festivities on June 18.
June 19 will include events in downtown Trenton featuring a main stage with local and world-renowned entertainers. The headliner will be American Jazz musician Marcus Johnson.
A nearby Legacy Stage will feature youth entertainment. Commitments from Greater Trenton, Stoutsburg Sourland African American Museum and the Center for Child and Family Achievement have evolved into a plethora of family centered activities that will be held simultaneously in downtown Trenton, according to a release.
Mercer County Stables will also serve as a location for an equestrian experience with the Crazy Faith Riders.
The finale will be a Gospel Celebration on June 20 in historic Mill Hill Park. The goal of the collaborative is to educate, empower and unite Africans in the diaspora through cultural arts, health and wellness, entertainment and sports.
The purpose of this carefully planned and socially distanced event is to highlight a few very poignant and current issues through displays of culture, collaboration, commerce, unity and education, according to the statement.
The City of Trenton, Mercer County Party Commission and many other partners
have been working to ensure public safety, according to the statement.
As a result of collaboration with the Let’s Ride Foundation and the Samuel McCoy Scholarship Fund, a Juneteenth Freedom Day Bike Ride will also start at Mill Hill Park on Saturday and travel throughout Mercer County, with options for novice to advance riders to explore neighboring towns including Ewing, Lawrence, Hamilton and Hopewell.
