Doylestown’s annual Juneteenth Celebration, held outside of the Mercer Museum, kicked off with plenty of sunshine and smiles this past weekend. In attendance were many local Black-owned businesses and several advocacy groups including NOVA, NAACP, The Peace Center, and the Bucks County Anti-Racism Coalition. Businesses and artisans set up tents and tables covered with crafts, artwork, food, and specialty items such as handmade fragrances for your car, handcrafted jewelry, and small batched organic juices. A steady stream of attendees began gathering late morning on the spacious lawn of the Mercer Museum as vendors and speakers geared up for a day of reflection and celebration of Juneteenth, a day that in the past had largely been overlooked in American history.
Sometimes referred to as our country’s second Independence Day, Juneteenth celebrates the day that enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, were finally told they were no longer enslaved, over two months after the Civil War officially ended. Two years prior, in January of 1863, Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation which legally freed enslaved Black Americans within the Confederacy. Because Texas was on the westernmost edge of what was then the American frontier, and under Confederate control freedom came much later when on the 19th of June, 1865, Union soldiers marched into Galveston Bay and declared all enslaved persons were freed by executive decree.
Though long celebrated throughout the Black community and despite its significance, Juneteenth has only recently been recognized as a national holiday. In 2021 Congress overwhelmingly voted to designate the day as a federal holiday with President Joe Biden enacting the legislation.
This year’s event focused on health and wellness and was filled with speakers, scholarship awards, live art projects, yoga, food, and music all geared towards promoting healthy living, and spreading advocacy for Black lives and Black history. This is the third Juneteenth hosted by the African Diaspora Collective of Bucks County and the Mercer Museum & Fonthill Castle.
Donte King, Founder and co-owner of So Fresh So Green Juice Company. Donte and his family create fresh, small batch organic juices and is based in Perkasie, PA.
Margie and Ron Greenspan. Since 1982 the Peace Center has worked towards community peace and social justice by providing a community based, multi-cultural approach to reducing violence and bullying in schools and the greater community.
Angela Nutter (left) of the African American Diaspora Collective in Bucks County. The Collective is a group of organizations and individuals who work with institutions and local businesses to amplify the voices of those who claim African ancestry residing in Bucks County. They work to promote the rich history and culture of those within the African Diaspora.
Dr. Monique Gary (far left) of Still Rise Farms. Based on 40 acres across Bucks County, Still Rise Farms offers holistic wellness support for those battling cancer and chronic illnesses. Still Rise Farms purpose is to “guide you beyond the ordinary, rekindling a profound sense of vitality, aliveness, and connection.”
Ambler based Chickie Bits BBQ offered a variety of delicious Bbq including hot dogs, pulled chicken, and baked beans. It was all hands on deck as younger members of the crew staffed the To-Go stand.
Candi Young, (left) and Becca Bateman, (right). Bateman is a pastor at Doylestown Presbyterian Church located in the heart of Doylestown. The church has been a part of Bucks County since 1804.
Omega Zeta Omega scholarship awarded to Blake Quinn and Keyonia Proctor. Omega offers several scholarship categories including a HBCU Scholarship, available to students attending a Historically Black College or University as a full-time student.
Jerel Ferguson, an art teacher in Upper Darby displays his custom art pieces. Ferguson describes his work as art that “represents an opportunity of expression; a voice if you will.” He seeks to inspire others while improving upon himself.
Dads Delight Catering was all smiles as they were busy dishing up hot delights and delicious treats.
New Bucks County resident Michele Long and her daughters. Long was excited to be attending the celebration and mentioned how much she was enjoying all of what Bucks County has to offer.
NOVA, the Network of Victim Assistance of Bucks County was onsite, providing information about their services. NOVA provides a multitude of comprehensive programs and educational resources targeted towards helping and assisting victims of abuse and sexual violence.
Kevin E Leven of the Bucks County Anti-Racism Coalition designed a living canvas community art project and encouraged participants to add their own ideas. The prompt for this year’s project was “What does it take to prevail through difficulty”.
Heidi Roux (right), Executive Director of Immigrant Rights Action and intern Annika Verma (left). Immigrants Rights Action is recognized by the U.S. Department of Justice as the only non-profit legal immigration services provider in Bucks County and has been operating since 2017 as a community based organization.
Allan Wade A-Dubb Productions and crew pose for a photo. A-Dubb Productions allows customers to upload designs and create their own custom T-shirts, long sleeves, hoodies, and more. Wade created a custom range of designs on display inspired by Juneteenth.
Patricia Mervine (left center) chats with members of the African American Museum of Bucks County. Mervine wrote a book about the Musuem’s new home in Middletown Township called “Boone Farm: Its People and Place in Middletown History”.
