Rochester marks Juneteenth with City Hall party on Monday and community walk
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ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — Rochester is celebrating Juneteenth with a City Hall block party on Monday. Over the weekend, the community celebrated the June 19 holiday with a dance performance, 5K race, bike ride, and museum events.
The federal holiday Juneteenth marks the day that soldiers freed the last known enslaved people in the U.S. in Galveston, Texas in 1865.
One way Rochester celebrated was the Community walk for unity at the Genesee Valley Sports Field to call attention to the day and to promote health and mental stability.
Two local groups, the nonprofit You are Beautifully Made LLC and Girltrek Roc, organized the walk.
"We always celebrated it, so the fact they have did it nationally, we are really appreciative of it. But you know, we always did it so welcome to the party," said Tonya Brooks of Girltrek Roc.
Mayor Malik Evans and the City of Rochester are hosting their first Juneteenth Block Party outside of City Hall at 30 Church Street. The block party runs from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will feature local food trucks and live music from Cinnamon Jones. The event is free and more information is available here.