Second Annual Juneteenth Celebrations Scheduled In Brewster

June 11, 2025

by Mackenzie Blue

Last year, Jeanne Morrison of the MLK Action Team and Police Chief Health Eldredge read from posters that told the stories of Black heroes of the Civil War era. FILE PHOTO

BREWSTER – Following the inaugural Juneteenth celebration last year, Brewster is bringing back the festivities once again to honor the history of the federal holiday.

Juneteenth, also known as “Freedom Day,” commemorates the official end of slavery in the United States. Although Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, territories under Confederate control did not adhere to the order. Over two years later, on June 19, 1865, 2,000 Union troops marched into Galveston, Texas and announced that the more than 250,000 enslaved black people in the state were free by executive decree, according to the National Museum of African American History and Culture. The day became a touchstone of freedom.

As it did last year, the free event will take place in Drummer Boy Park from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. It is sponsored by the town, the Massachusetts Cultural Council, the Brewster Ladies’ Library, the Brewster Council on Aging and Cape Cod 5.

Throughout the day, events will be held in the gazebo and surrounding areas. At 10:15 a.m., Dance Therapy 508 will host a dance party with drums.

Tamora Israel, a local performance poet and award-winning multidisciplinary artist, along with Police Chief Heath Eldredge, will perform a reading and re-enactment of the Emancipation Proclamation at 10:30 a.m. Israel lives and works on Cape Cod, performing poetry, storytelling and comedy.

There will be two time slots dedicated to storytime with the Brewster Book Store at 11 a.m. and noon.

Between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., multiple live performances will be held in the gazebo including poetry from Israel, a jazz guitar set from Ron Williams and blues music from the Fred Clayton Band.

In other areas of the park, visitors can drop in at the windmill for a special tour with the Brewster Historical Society.

Local authors will host an ice cream and chat with opportunities to speak with them about their work. Family-friendly games and face painting will also be scattered throughout the area.

Additionally, the Encore food truck and the Chatham Filling Station food truck will be on the property with food and refreshments.

In the event of inclement weather, the festivities will move indoors at the Brewster Ladies’ Library.

Families and attendees are asked to bring their own blanket or chairs to view the performances.