NORTHAMPTON, Mass. (WWLP) – The Northampton Juneteenth Festival returns this weekend, bringing a daylong celebration of Black freedom, culture, and community to the city.
The free event will take place Saturday, June 6, at E.J. Gare Plaza in downtown Northampton, featuring live performances, art installations, and a marketplace highlighting Black-owned businesses.
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This year’s event will showcase a lineup of artists and performers, including award-winning singer-songwriter Pamela Means, vocalist Kimaya Diggs, jazz saxophonist Mtali Banda, and DJ Trends, who will serve as host throughout the day. Visual artists Chelvanaya Gabriel and Edwina Polanco will also present featured works and installations.
In addition to entertainment, the festival will include a marketplace with dozens of Black-owned vendors, offering handmade goods, cultural items, and food. Community partner Positively Africana by Aimee will be on-site, providing African gifts and promoting cultural education, with a portion of proceeds supporting women entrepreneurs in the Congo.
Organizers say the event also aims to support youth leadership, with the Northampton Youth Commission helping to co-organize the festival and encourage civic engagement among young people.
Provisions will host a hospitality station offering refreshments and specialty items for attendees. The marketplace and hospitality station will run from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., while live performances and art installations are scheduled from noon to 5 p.m.
(Northampton mayor’s office)
The Northampton Juneteenth Festival is free and open to the public, with organizers emphasizing accessibility and community participation. The event is supported in part by the Mass Cultural Council, the City of Northampton’s Economic Development Department, the Northampton Arts Council, Provisions, Positively Africana by Aimee, and ValleyCreates.
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