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 White Plains, NY - The sights and sounds of marching bands, steppers, stilt walkers, clowns, floats and spectacular costumes will echo in the air on Saturday, June 14th, when the 4th annual Juneteenth Parade & Festival takes place in the heart of downtown White Plains.
Groups from all over the tri-state area will celebrate Juneteenth – the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. The parade will kick-off at noon at Mamaroneck Avenue and Old Mamaroneck Road and travel down Mamaroneck Avenue to Main Street in front of City Hall.
Mack Carter, Chairman of the White Plains Juneteenth Heritage Committee, announced that Governor David Patterson will be this year’s Grand Marshall. Carter said, “we are honored to have Governor Patterson’s participation particularly since our theme for the parade and festival is Celebrating the Past…Defining the Future – A Tribute to 21st Century African American Leaders”.
Immediately following the parade until 7:00 p.m. there will be a festival on Court Street and Martine Avenue with something for everyone. Grammy and Tony Award winning actress and singer Jennifer Holliday, the original Effie in the Broadway cast of Dream Girls, will be the featured entertainer at the show mobile. There will also be air rides, food and craft vendors on site.
White Plains began its tradition of honoring the culture and contributions of African Americans and their impact on Westchester County in 2005. Last year there were over 3,000 marchers and 13,000 spectators along the parade route.
The parade and festival will go forward rain or shine. For additional information, go to www.whiteplainsjuneteenthheritagecommittee.org.
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