South Country Library to host Juneteenth celebration

Greater Bellport Coalition, South Country Library, and the Village of Bellport are partnering to present a Juneteenth celebration at the library on Thursday, June 13 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Juneteenth, which is officially celebrated on June 19, is a federal and New York State holiday that represents the abolishment of slavery following the Civil War.

The war ended on April 9, 1865. But it wasn’t until more than two months later, on June 19, that Union Gen. Gordon Granger read General Order No. 3 to a group of enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, informing them that they were free.

At the celebration at South Country Library, Jason Neal will read General Order No. 3; vocalist Daryl Jordan will sing; and Leah Jefferson, director of community development for Suffolk County and a member of the Town of Brookhaven’s Black History Commission, will be the keynote speaker. A steel-drum band will also perform.

Food and refreshments will also be served.

Greater Bellport Coalition, South Country Library, and the Village of Bellport are also holding a competition for students in grades K-12 to design a poster “illustrating the power of unity and the history of Juneteenth.”

All entrants will receive three hours of community service credits. There are cash prizes of $75 for first place, $50 for second place, and $25 for third place. Drop off your entry at the library’s reference desk by 9 p.m. on June 10.

The Town of Brookhaven and the Black History Commission will also hold a Juneteenth celebration and picnic on Saturday, June 15 at 11 a.m. at Longwood Estate, 205 Longwood Road, in Ridge. The picnic is open to Town of Brookhaven residents only. Register online at https://www.brookhavenny.gov/1198/Juneteenth-Event.