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2025 Delaware City-Polktown
Juneteenth Observance Events
Juneteenth — the 19th of June of every
year has been a national holiday in the United States since
President Joe Biden signed the bill, Pub. L. 117-17, on
June 17, 2021. For many decades the joy of Juneteenth has
been celebrated in Black communities with family and community
gatherings.
This year, the FAUCC is celebrating
by organizing the Delaware City/Polktown Juneteenth Observance.
In conjunction with Main Street, the Delaware City Library
and the Mt. Salem U.A.M.E. Church, we will begin, as the
USCT did, on Shove Off Day, May 24th and end on June 19th.
Planning has begun and has far to go, but we have the enthusiastic
support of the City of Delaware City and many residents,
Black and White, including some descendants of early Polktown
residents.
May 24, Shove Off Day:
Morning At the Delaware City
Library, 250 Fifth St., Delaware City:
“Shove Off for
Freedom” a program for all ages by Kathy Trusty — independent
historian, Black history educator, children’s book author.
Ferry Tickets: $7 each for those attending
the morning program
Lunch at the Pavilion, Fort Delaware
State Park
Afternoon at the Fort Delaware
State Park: Civil War Era at Fort Delaware, including
children’s games led by Fort Delaware staff
Saturday, June 7, "Looking
Backward/Moving Forward"
Midday at Battery Park Bandstand:
Harriet Tubman and the Tilly Rescue with Debra Martin
Afternoon at the Delaware City
Library:
Artist’s Tour of “Landscapes of the Harriet
Tubman Underground Railroad Byway” with E. Lynn Dilliplane
Evening at the Community Center:
The Sankofa Drum and Dance Company
Thursday, June 19 - Juneteenth:
Morning:
Juneteenth Commemorative
Service, a solemn Ceremony at the African Union Church Cemetery.
Music by the Hildaman Chorale and others
Afternoon / Evening:
Suite
Franchon & Friends, and Best Kept Soul performances
Sunday, June 22:
12:00 Noon: Mount Salem U.A.M.E.
Church’s Juneteenth Worship Service
Afternoon: Community Cookout.
A traditional community cookout offered by the Mount Salem
U.A.M.E. Church congregation on the church grounds. Performances
celebrating Black history and culture.
Throughout the Juneteenth
celebration period at the Delaware City Library:
Juneteenth themed library programs:
Book Club 5/27; Kids Cook 5/28; Teens & Tweens Culture 6/11;
Children’s Storytime 6/17; Kids Craft 6/17; Cooking with
Cathy for Tweens & Teens 6/18.
Photography exhibit by E. Lynn Dilliplane,
“Landscapes of the Delaware Harriett Tubman Underground
Railroad Byway” revised to include additional scenes highlighting
local Underground Railroad history.
Sponsors: City of Delaware
City, Delaware City Fire Company, Delaware City Library,
Delaware City Police Department, Delaware City Refining
Company, Fort Delaware State Park, Friends of the African
Union Church Cemetery (FAUCC), Main Street Delaware City,
Mt. Salem U.A.M.E. Church and the Underground Railroad Coalition
of Delaware.
For updates visit
https://juneteenth-delcity.org/
Click here for a downoadable flyer!
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