Paterson Kicks Off Juneteenth with African Heritage Parade

As the city of Paterson gears up for Juneteenth, city leaders are laying out the ways they plan on celebrating the holiday that commemorates the end of slavery in the U.S.

Juneteenth is a federal holiday signed into law by President Joe Biden last year, making it more than 100 years after it was first observed in Texas. Enslaved Black people and their families celebrate the holiday in many states across the U.S. The city of Paterson has a diverse population and a long history of celebrating Juneteenth.

Many family-friendly events are planned to take place throughout the day and night, highlighting the city’s diverse culture and history. One of the day’s main events is the African Heritage Parade, which will start at the Masonic Temple on Broadway and end at Eastside Park.

The parade is led by 12 talented gospel choirs that will entertain the crowd with songs of praise and gospel. The ceremony is also an opportunity to honor Paterson’s “hidden gems,” dedicated citizens who have worked on behalf of the City and city residents for many years but have rarely been publicly acknowledged for their hard work.

In the afternoon, a ceremony will be held to announce the winners of this year’s Mr. and Mrs. Juneteenth. The battle for the title features teens from Paterson who, for the past year, have received hands-on instruction in entrepreneurship from mentors and additional lessons that facilitate more positive and focused attitudes about life, themselves, and their future, which Addison considers keys to realizing their goals.

The ceremony is expected to resemble a festival where a wide array of vendors can showcase their goods and services. Local vendors will compete for the title in a cookout competition. There will also be an escape room for youth in the library to learn about different landmarks in Paterson’s Black history narrative. On this citywide scavenger hunt, youth will discover parts of the city and more about Black businesses in Paterson.