Saturday’s Juneteenth celebration in Pottstown goes all day long

POTTSTOWN — The plans are made, the performers booked and the vendors stocking up for Pottstown’s fourth annual Juneteenth celebration on Saturday, June 15.

The event kicks off at 11 a.m. and comes to a close seven hours later at 6 p.m. High Street will be closed from York Street to Charlotte Street during this time, providing making it easy to stroll safely and enjoy all there is to offer.

And there’s a lot.

With so much happening, here’s a checklist breakdown to help you plan your day and make the most of this community celebration:

Opening Ceremony

• Location: Basketball Court in front of Smith Family Plaza

• Time: 11 a.m.

• Highlights: The Black National Anthem sung by Pottstown 2024 graduate Ava Collier, followed by a balloon release to honor those who have laid the foundation for us. The crowd will witness the first live performance from The STRIVE Kids performing an original song.

Music and Performances

Music Stage at RIVET and DJ Booth at Smith Family Plaza:

• DJ Tom Walker will keep the energy high throughout the day.

• Local Artists: Reef Kacy performs at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

• Dance Performances: Simply Phenomenal Dancers Red Royals Diamonds at 4 and 4:30 p.m.

• Local artist Anthony C presented at the RIVET stage from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

• Impressly Events 360 machine

KidZone

Location: Hanover and Penn streets

• Petting Zoo: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• Moon Bounces: All day

• Come meet the Pottstown and Pottsgrove tennis team

• Bluey Appearance: 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Car and Motorcycle Show

Location: Between Penn and Charlotte streets from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

• Feature: A special VW car made in South Africa around the end of apartheid, still bearing its Johannesburg license plates.

3 on 3 Basketball Tournament:

Location: High Street between York and Hanover. from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The PHS Cheer Team will be in attendance

• 10 AM team check-in begins Setup

• 11 AM 1-2 Youth

• 11:30 a.m. 3-4 Youth

•12 p.m. Championship Youth

• 1 p.m. 1-2 High School

• 1:30 PM 3-4 High School

• 2 p.m. Championship High School

• 3 p.m. 1-2 Adult

• 3:30 p.m. 3-4 Adult

• 4 p.m. Championship Adult

Wellness Zone:

Location: Smith Family Plaza (on the grass)

• Massages by Urban Relaxation: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

• Health Screenings by Tower Health: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• Paint in the Park with Anastasia Foreman: 2 p.m.

• Family Yoga with Be ReZilient: 1 p.m.

• Drumming Circle: 12 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

• Liv Emotional Support Dog: 12 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

• Elmo Check-In: 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.

Soulful Foods

Food trucks will be located along Hanover Street. Vendors include: Urban Gourmet Kitchen; Smokin’ Jays Caribbean BBQ; Tasteful Soul; Bev Soulfood; Kalita’s Heart and Soul Food; Frozen Spoon BBQ; Jamdung Jerk Hut; Carnival Craver and many more.

Free Ice Cream

Free ice cream will be available for the first 400 people at the Coventry Ice Cream Parlor Tent, courtesy of sponsor T-Mobile.

Also, be sure to support Local Restaurants: Enjoy offerings from Very Best Hot Dogs, Gazzo’s Steaks, Argentos Pizza, Grumpy’s Sandwiches, Mr. Pickles, and  Espresso Yourself Cafe.

Soulful Sips

Location: Cloud Cigars Lounge 211 E. High Street from 12 to 4 p.m.

Over 21 only, featuring a whiskey tasting and cigar pairing with Black-owned labels. Facilitated by Guilded Smoke.

Community Resources

Various community organizations will be present, including: Tower Health, Tri-County YWCA, Family Services, The STRIVE Initiative,  M.A.D.E., Community Health and Dental, TRACC and others.

Planning Committee

This event was a community effort, planned with the theme of reclaiming community cohesiveness. Special thanks to the planning committee members: Lynise Walton, CEO of Lynise Ellen Designs; ● Mark Rittwage, CGI Marketing; Howard Brown, iBall United; David Charles, The STRIVE Initiative; Stacey Woodland, Tri-County YWCA; Jocelyn Charles, Boyertown Multi-Services; Heather Foster, Community Member; Troy Rivera, SGI Security; Lee Hill, Changemaker; Harry Dean, owner of The RIVET; Shawnette Jones, Stay Fabulous Consulting; Linda Anthony, Heart of God Worship Center; Holly Parker and Ashley Kolpak, Tri-County Network; Jasmine Foster, Tedra Butler, Kendra Oliver, Impressly Event; Denise Williams, Destiny Williams Be ReZilient.

Sponsors

This event would not be possible without the generous support of Pottstown Health and Wellness, Health Sparks Foundation, Victory Bank, T-Mobile, TCN, Boyertown Multi-Services, The Hill School, Hobarts Run, IBall United, Gazzo Steaks, The Black Caucus, US Axle, Valley Forge Casino, Gazzo Steaks, and Friends of Joe Ceresi and many small businesses sponsors and friends of the community.