Grafton RISE plans community art project as part of 1st Juneteenth celebration

Grafton RISE, an anti-racist discussion and action group, has planned a Juneteenth Celebration to commemorate African American freedom and emphasize education and achievement. 

The family-friendly event takes place June 19 at Mill Villages Park in South Grafton, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.. Known to some as the country’s “second Independence Day,” Juneteenth celebrates the freedom of enslaved people in the United States at the end of the Civil War.

This will be the town’s first celebration of Juneteenth since its adoption as an official holiday during the June 2021 Town Meeting.

The event will feature speakers, conversations, UNITY interactive art installation, photo sessions, food trucks, an arts & craft station and a conversation and connection lounge.

“At our core, Grafton Rise is driven to work toward dismantling systemic racism. We planned the Juneteenth celebration to create an opportunity for our community to learn, discuss and plan for the future,” said Amar Clark, Juneteenth Organizer and Grafton Rise Founder. “It is a great opportunity for Grafton to acknowledge a period in our history that shaped and continues to influence our society today. We hope to see many members of our community at this family-friendly event.”

The schedule is as follows:

• 10 a.m. Event Opening, Flag Raising
• 2 p.m. Minister Daniel Gregoire, of the Unitarian Universalist Society of Grafton will speak and read the Emancipation Proclamation
• 9 to 11 a.m. Humans of Grafton Photography Session – Sign up here for a complimentary session
• 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Unity Art Installation Project
• Scavenger Hunt
• Arts & Crafts Station
• “Between Two Ferns” conversation and connection lounge

The Grafton Cultural Society and MA Cultural Council are among the sponsors for the event.