Mergers in Beacon. Coming together. That is what Beacon’s community is all about. Lots of ideas. Lots of intentions. Sometimes done before. Sometimes done again. Since the racial reawakening of 2020, there have been 3 Juneteenth celebrations in Beacon organized by Beacon 4 Black Lives. But this year’s is being billed as Beacon’s First Annual Juneteenth. That is because a merger happened between groups who each had the desire and drive to produce the event: Beacon 4 Black Lives and Bosco and the Storm and his niece, Lastar.

For the past 3 years, Beacon 4 Black Lives held Juneteenth events. “The first year was a celebration in the form of a protest,” founding member Justice McCray told A Little Beacon Blog. “The next two years were at a private venue. We were thinking…how can we support somebody’s else’s vision? Something better, something new and something fresh. Something that invites more people in.”

At the end of Spirit of Beacon Day 2022, Michael Faison aka “Bosco” of Bosco and the Storm, who was a Musical Spirit Coordinator and performer for that event, told ALBB of his desire to produce a Juneteenth celebration the following year. Brooke Simmons and Rueben “Yogi” Simmons, the brother/sister duo and co-founders of I Am Beacon assisted Lastar with getting in touch with Justice to help them with permits and organizing, who after leading racial justice protests in the city with Beacon 4 Black Lives, ran and earned a position on Beacon’s City Council.

This year, Bosco told the Highlands Current how the idea came to him to produce a Juneteenth event: “I was actually at home and it just hit me that we need to do a Juneteenth festival. I called my niece, who is good at organizing. It’s going to feature my band and other local bands with Black artists, but it’s not just limited to Black artists, because my band is interracial. We’ll have Black entertainers, comedians, singers, dancers, poets — people doing whatever they do to be a part of the festival. Beacon 4 Black Lives also stepped in to help get the permits and that stuff.

“I never thought we would see this [Juneteenth celebrated as a national holiday] in my lifetime, but I’m glad we can start it here, and then the younger generations can keep it rolling. A lot of the Black folks who were born and raised here moved away, so we tried to reach out to them to come home for a day. And it’s not just for Black folks; it’s for anyone who wants to come have a good time.”

While this is called “Beacon’s Juneteenth,” it’s a city-wide event. “The City of Beacon has been supporting us, but it’s a city-wide event, but not produced by the City of Beacon, but the City gave their support,” said Justice.

Juneteenth Musical Lineup

• Bosco and The Storm (Band)

• Cynthia Moore and daughter Maya (Singing Opening Ceremony of the Negro Nation Anthem)

• Jaeden Drysdale (Poet)

• Ice The God (Hip Hop & R&B Artist)

• Jayda Woodall (Poet)

• The Moonlight Initiative (Band)

• Melody Africa (Performers/Dance)

• Common Ground Farm (Vendor)

• Faithful Praise (Performers/Gospel Singers)

• Born Genius (Hip Hop Artist)

Juneteenth Food Lineup

• We Got The Juice

• A&I Concessions

• Cookies Creations

• Pat’s Kitchen

• Common Ground Farm

• Incredible Creations

• Cafe Con Amor Jibaro

• Essie Mae Water Ice

• Luv Y’all Food

Juneteenth Vendor Lineup

• We Got The Juice (Vendor)

• Broadway Art Gallery (Vendor)

• AbuBashir Oils (Vendor)

• Howland Public Library (Vendor)

• A&I Concessions (Vendor)

• Behind The Chair Ministries (Vendor)

• Cookies Creations (Vendor)

• Beacon High Step Team (Vendor)

• Pat's Kitchen (Vendor)

• Backies All Natural (Vendor)

• The Little Me Boutique (Vendor)

• Joce Cova (Vendor)

• Community Voices Heard (Vendor)

• City on a Hill Clothing Company (Vendor)

• 5Heart Products (Vendor)

• Incredible Creations (Vendor)

• Cafe Con Amor Jibaro (Vendor)

• Soaps By Tina (Vendor)

• Four Winds Jewelry (Vendor)

• Newburgh Rowing Club and Beacon Sloop Club will collaborating to offer free Kayaking and boating from 11-2pm

• Compass Arts will be offering free activities and a blank canvas for the festival attendees to create a shared artwork.

Juneteenth Parking

Justice wanted to get the word out about parking: “Parking not listed as MTA’s Free Parking Day, so unfortunately, it is paid parking at the station - as far as we know.” There is a small parking lot by the park, but the organizers are prioritizing that for the elderly. People are recommended to have a parking drop off spot. Beacon’s building, 1 Municipal Plaza, does have free parking on Monday because the building will be closed.

Parking in the MTA lot is $3.50 at the train. You can also park on side streets and walk a bit down to the river.