WOOLWICH TWP. — Don’t miss the area’s largest Juneteenth Festival and Gospel Jam on June 14 beginning at 12 noon in the Kingsway High School, Lot H, 172 Garwin Road. The festival will run from noon to 3 p.m. The Swedesboro Gospel Jam will take the stage from 3 to 6 p.m.
This free family event will offer enjoyment for everyone with over 200 performers that include award winning African stilt walkers, musicians, singers, drill teams, professional puppeteers, vendors, delicious barbeque, historic tours, vendors, a mock wax museum, free health screenings and so much more.
Swedesboro’s Juneteenth Celebration is the area’s best because of its extraordinary talent line up and its location. Headliners include the critically acclaimed Universal African Dance and Drum Ensemble, Trumpet Chics, and the Sonshine Puppets from Washington, D/C.
The electric Trumpet Chics, fusion jazz dance band, will have the audience dancing in the aisles. The Universal African Dance and Drum Ensemble will amaze audiences with over 40 African dancers, stilt walkers, and drummers, from 3 to 30 years old.
Gospel choirs, praise teams, and dancers from throughout the Delaware Valley will celebrate with high praise. The Stellar and Grammy Award winning Wilmington-Chester Mass Choir will highlight the Gospel Jam.
“We want everyone, of every denomination, ethnic background, and socio-economic level to join us and praise God,” exclaimed Rev. Langston Washington, Mt. Zion AME pastor.
Juneteenth is a state and national holiday celebrating the ending of slavery in America. “We believe the best place to celebrate freedom is here in Woolwich Township, because we celebrate at an Underground Railroad site,” said Rev. Sherry Lynn Hall, Director of Community Programming, HELP, Inc.
Mt. Zion AME, across from Kingsway High’s lot, was an important Underground Railroad site. “You do not need to be African American to appreciate African American history and culture. We are celebrating, and we want EVERYONE to come celebrate with us.”
Black history is American history, and this Juneteenth Celebration will make it come alive. There will be tours of Mt. Zion AME church and Colored Troop Soldiers presenting arms at the Mt. Zion cemetery where 13 Colored Troop soldiers are buried. Tours are at 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. Mt. Zion is on the state and national historic records.
There will be plenty of food, drinks, and snacks to sample and enjoy. Area vendors will showcase their unique products and services.
Local and regional performers will round out the festivities for three immersive hours. Youngsters will enjoy treats and activities in the Children’s Tent, and get their faces painted.
This event is sponsored by HELP, Inc., a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization which provides African American educational and cultural programming and preserves three African American historic sites in Swedesboro/Woolwich Township.
Individuals, businesses, and non-profit organizations are welcome to join its inclusive mission. Other sponsors include the Women’s Progressive Club, Woolwich Township, First Baptist of Swedesboro, and Mt. Zion AME Church.
To find out how you can donate, volunteer, file a vending application, or more, please visit www.helpinc.org, or email inquiries to info@helpinc.org. Check out its Facebook page (Swedesboro Juneteenth Celebration) for updates about this year’s powerful event.
Funding has been made possible in part by the Gloucester County Cultural & Heritage Commission of Rowan College of South Jersey, and the New Jersey Historical Commission / Department of State.
