Oxford / Seymour Juneteenth Celebration 2023

June 17, 2023 - Oxford and Seymour residents gathered today at Quarry Walk to commemorate Juneteenth as an official Federal Holiday. The event was the first of its kind in either town and included performances by the Las Dominicanas Dance Troupe and poet Iyaba Ibo Mandingo, as well as several speakers including Oxford First Selectman George Temple, Seymour First Selectwoman Annemarie Drugonis, State Representative David Labriola, Secretary of State Stephanie Thomas, Valley MLK Committee and NAACP member Maliqa Mosley-Williams, Seymour resident Kevin Atterberry and Oxford Residents Ty and Kristina Walton.

There were also awards presented to the winners of a youth poster and essay contest with the theme “Why is the recognition of Juneteenth important for all Americans?”

The event organizers, a mixture of members from All In For Oxford, All In For Seymour, and local Seymour and Oxford residents, came together around the vision of promoting diversity and inclusion in their communities while also celebrating their towns’ rich histories. In preparation the planning committee collaborated with local historian Dorothy DeBisschop who provided insight about Oxford’s role in the Underground Railroad and Ebenezer D. Bassett, America's first African-American diplomat who had ties to Oxford throughout his life.

The event was both well attended and well received. It was immediately followed by a Billie Holiday Tribute Concert featuring the Waterbury Symphony Orchestra, joined by the Gene Bozzi Jazz Quartet and Broadway vocalist, Rosena Hill Jackson

Juneteenth, also known as Emancipation Day or Freedom Day, is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. It is celebrated on June 19, the anniversary of the announcement of General Order No. 3, which was issued by Major General Gordon Granger on June 19, 1865, proclaiming freedom for slaves in Texas.

Individuals interested in learning more about Juneteenth or joining the Valley Juneteenth planning committee can visit https://valleyjuneteenth.com

[ Top ] [ Back ]