Malden community comes together for memorable Juneteenth Celebration

Hundreds attend 7th Annual commemoration hosted by Juneteenth Committee

By Steve Freker

More cities and towns are starting to hold their own celebrations of one of the most important days in American history. A flag raising and a brief speech or two are the norm, as were recalled in remarks Wednesday by Malden Mayor Gary Christenson, who was describing an event in another neighboring community.

“They raised a flag, they spoke and everyone got ready to leave,” Mayor Christenson explained, “and someone said, ‘that’s it?’ Then they said, ‘I guess if you REALLY want to celebrate and honor Juneteenth, you have to go to Malden, Massachusetts!’”

The Mayor’s words got a roar and raucous applause from the large crowd assembled in the foyer of the Ferryway K-8 School in Malden on Wednesday morning as opening ceremonies were held for what has become one of the largest Juneteenth recognition and celebration events in the state. On Wednesday, hundreds of Malden residents and those from other communities filled the Ferryway School for the 7th Annual Juneteenth Celebration.

Also known as Freedom Day, Emancipation Day or America’s second Independence Day, Juneteenth – on June 19 – commemorates the end of slavery in the United States after the Civil War. Many Americans have celebrated it annually for more than a century, even though the holiday was not officially added to the national calendar as a federal holiday until 2021.

The holiday commemorates the ending of slavery by marking the day Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, after the end of the Civil War, on June 19, 1865, to let the last enslaved Americans know they were free under the Emancipation Proclamation – issued by President Lincoln more than two years earlier, on January 1, 1863.

In Malden, the Juneteenth celebration began on June 19, 2018, as many others, with a flag raising and words of hope and honor, by the Juneteenth Committee, which included founding members Erga Pierrette and Karen Colón Hayes and others. Since then it has grown in scope and focus to become a full-fledged community-wide event, with something for everyone, all ages and cultures.

On Wednesday, the event was quickly (and easily) shifted from a planned, outdoor event at the nearby Lincoln Commons to inside the Ferryway K-8 School, due to the intense heat wave, which pushed outdoor temperatures to what was eventually a Boston June 19 record of 98 degrees. Apparently, the move was the right one as many believe Wednesday’s Juneteenth celebration in Malden drew the largest attendance yet. Hundreds came to the school to celebrate, from babies to senior citizens, including those from all cultures.

“What an amazing day with such a large group of attendees from all across our community. It is really great to see,” said Pierrette near the end of the day. Pierrette opened the day’s events with introductory remarks, where she gave a brief history of the meaning of Juneteenth and thanked all in attendance.

Another Juneteenth Committee founding member, Colón Hayes, who also serves as Councillor-at-Large on the Malden City Council, echoed that sentiment. “We have really tried to make sure that this is a community event where everyone is welcome,” Councillor Colon Hayes said. “Today it is easy to see we have achieved that.”

“What a tremendous turnout! There really is something for everyone here today,” Colón Hayes said just before she jumped into a impromptu cultural dance that was associated with the group drum session organized in the Ferryway foyer.

Wednesday’s agenda included artist performances, including a special one by Malden High School’s A-O Step Team, poetry, dances, drumming and over 25 tables for vendors and representatives of various cultural and community organizations. There were also “Arts for All Ages,” including a teen workshop, button and bookmark making and a story walk. Henna art was available to be applied to hands and arms, and attendees were welcomed to contribute to some living art: a Community Mural.

Another big highlight was a free, sumptuous, all-you-can-eat buffet meal with Southern comfort food and other dishes generously donated by Maxine’s on St. James, 304 Dudley St., Boston; The Island (Caribbean Cuisine and Drinks), 118 Ferry St., Malden; and the Neighborhood Kitchen, 84 Spring St., Medford. Many of the attendees took advantage of the seemingly endless dishes: fried chicken, beans and rice, jambalaya, collard greens, sweet potato pie, macaroni au gratin, tofu and romaine salad, among others.

Some of the highlighted performances: the opening Black National Anthem sung by Lydia Harrell, who later sang an original song accompanying herself on a ukelele; a powerful spoken word performance by T.J. Ruff of Boston, and the keynote address and an original Juneteenth poem by Terri Carter of Medford, a classically-trained poet whose influences range from Shakespeare to the Harlem Renaissance. Other performers included Kera Washington and Zili Musik; youth educator Tyrell Dortch; and singer Pastor Reba Danastorg of the Imani Temple in Malden.

“Music, dancing, education and lots of free food! You could not have been in a better place today,” Councillor Colón Hayes said. “We are already looking forward to next year.”

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