The tenth annual Juneteenth Celebration will be held on June 20 from 9:30AM to 3:30PM in Brandon Park, Williamsport. The activities will include distinguished speakers, music and dance, food and activities for children.

Among the speakers will be New Jersey actor Lawrence A. Walker, who will portray Caesar, a Revolutionary War soldier/former slave, whose body is now buried in historic Lamington Cemetery, New Jersey. Mayor Gabe Campana will read General Order No. 3, Rev. Kenneth A. Burnett will read the Emancipation Proclamation and Louis Hunsinger, Jr. will present his tribute to Williamsport’s George Stovey, the great American baseball pitcher of the nineteenth century. Dr. Mamie Sweeting-Diggs will be stationed at her Underground Railroad Exhibit to answer questions.

At 11:30AM the stage entertainment will begin. Dance troupes include Valorie Taylor’s Expressions, Judy Hakes’ School of Dance, and Rain from Harrisburg. Bands that will perform are Ministree from Pittsburgh, Mary Rieves from St. Louis, B. Cook and Sunshine from Baltimore and Amarando Clark and friends of Williamsport. Dawn Filchner-White, Marcelene Brown and Joann Kiehl will also be singing.

New to the event is a Gifted Art Exhibit which is the work of fifteen young artists from five art workshops. Also, Dr Lori Verderame, who has a regular Sunday column in the Williamsport Sun-Gazette, will present her “Hate Art and Antiques?” comedy show starting at 9:30AM. For children, the event will feature the C.C. (lady) Clowns and Juneteenth’s Children’s Carnival. There will also be pony rides and a petting zoo courtesy of Russ and Marie Reitz’ Gracious Meadows Farms.

The event will be hosted by Marcelene H. Brown of WRLC 91.7 FM radio and Alan Anderson. A variety of food, craft and information stands will be available, including genealogy volunteers from the Lycoming County Genealogical Society and other community service organizations.

Rain date for the event will be June 21.

This festival is a presentation of the Juneteenth Celebration Association of Northern Pa. Those who wish to volunteer to help and prospective vendors may call 570 419-2502 or email through the Juneteenth website:

www.JuneteenthCelebration.org.