Irresistible beats from the Tempo Rhythm & Steel Band, savory aromas of food cooking, and tempting shopping booths welcomed visitors on Saturday to the Newton’s fourth annual Juneteenth Celebration.
“It’s a way for folks to get out and learn about this day,” said Tamika Olszewski, who is chairwoman of the annual city event and former chair of the School Committee. This year, the gathering was held outside the Hyde Community Center in Newton Highlands.
Tempo Rhythm & Steel Band (photo: Julie M. Cohen) 
Marie-France Noel, right, owner of handmade jewelry company Kadokele, speaks with a customer (photo: Julie M. Cohen) 
Henry Jay Gathers, 4, paints a T-shirt (photo: Julie M. Cohen) 
Lily Micley, 5½, watched Deborah Armand-Darbouze, center, paint her 3½-year-old sister Zoe’s face. (photo: Julie M. Cohen) 
Angela Owens, owner of Painting as Art & Ritual, added some details to the unicorn painted on 5½-year-old Lily Micley’s face. (photo: Julie M. Cohen) 
Seamstress Luciana Daly, owner of Ankhara, sold her handmade clothing, bags, pillows and other item (photo: Julie M. Cohen) 
Unique Top, owner of pop-up business I Love FGC, sold clothing and accessories. (photo: Julie M. Cohen)
Juneteenth, which is June 19, “marks the national holiday commemorating the emancipation of enslaved Americans,” according to the Newton Juneteenth Celebration organization.
“Signed into law as a national holiday on June 17, 2021, … Juneteenth celebrates the date of June 19, 1865, when enslaved people of African descent located in Galveston, Texas, finally learned of their freedom from the slavery system in the United States,” according to the National Parks Service.
The aim of Newton’s celebration is to have “all residents and visitors … come together to celebrate African-American heritage and culture through food, music, dance, and story-telling,” according to the Newton Juneteenth Celebration organization. Attendees could learn more about the holiday’s history from educational posters placed among the vendors’ booths.
This year the celebration included more “interactive offerings,” like T-shirt decorating, face painting, and children’s reading programs, said Olszewski.
Using spray paint, 4-year-old Henry Jay Gathers concentrated on decorating his T-shirt with a stencil as his mom looked on.
“It’s wonderful,” said his mother, Newton resident Sarah Cohen, of the event.
Nearby, 5½-year-old Lily and her 3½-year-old sister Zoe Micley, daughters of City Councilor David Micley, loved having their faces painted as unicorns at the Painting as Art & Ritual booth.
“The music’s great … it’s a fun, family event,” said the Councilor Micley as he watched the girls get colorful hair decorations.
Vendors who were not from Newton enjoyed the city event and were glad to get a chance to share in the celebration while selling their goods.
“[The Juneteenth event] promotes diversity in a communal way,” said Raynham resident Marie-France Noel, owner of jewelry business Kadokele.
Quincy resident Amber Mackey, owner of Midterm Candles, said it was her first time as a vendor at Newton’s Juneteenth celebration.
When asked for her thoughts on Newton holding a big event for the holiday, she said, “I think it’s really important.”
Olszewski is already thinking about next year’s celebration and encourages anyone who wants to help and “share in the joy of pulling this off” to contact FORJ (Families Organizing for Racial Justice), which hosted the event.
“This event is run by volunteers,” said Olszewski. “It’s a really fun group.”
FORJ worked in partnership with the Newton Coalition of Black Residents, FORJ NNHS, and Myrtle Baptist Church. The event received financial support from the Harmony Foundation, The Village Bank, and Newton Cultural Council.
