Photo by Jason Edwards
Carolino Monteiro of Valley Save Our Youth addresses the Juneteenth Freedom Day Celebration.
ANSONIA — Just days after President Joseph Biden signed a bill making it a U.S. holiday, people gathered in Gatison Park Saturday to celebrate Juneteenth, the day commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans.
Click here for background on the newest U.S. holiday.
Saturday’s Juneteenth celebration in Ansonia was organized by Valley Save Our Youth and The Valley Martin Luther King Committee.
The event featured food, live music, a chance for people to get COVID-19 vaccinations, along with local vendors.
The following photos were taken by Ansonia’s Jason Edwards on assignment for The Valley Indy:
Photo by Jason Edwards
Kareesha Mayo of Ansonia and Jose Garcia of West Haven set up a vendor table for thier business, Custom Your Lips, at Gatison Park in Ansonia. Local Black-owned businesses were invited as part of the Juneteenth Freedom Day Celebration
Photo by Jason Edwards
Pariis Holmes and Jael Austin, 9, sell lemonade during the Juneteenth Freedom Day Celebration.
Photo by Jason Edwards
James and Tanya Little of Ansonia sell custom-made African dolls during the Juneteenth Freedom Day Celebration
Photo by Jason Edwards
A COVID-19 mobile vaccine clinic, courtesy of Griffin Health, was on-hand during the Juneteenth Freedom Day Celebration.
Photo by Jason Edwards
Geo Marcano, 3, helps Amara Stevenson, 11, tie balloons during the Juneteenth Freedom Day Celebration.
