How this Delaware city remembered history


Delaware’s oldest Juneteenth organization, the Delaware Juneteenth Association, kicked off its series of events celebrating the holiday into high gear Monday with a parade and festival in Wilmington.

Under sunny skies and comfortable temperatures, dance troupes, pageant winners, youth and adult activity group members all strutted from Rodney Square down King Street past a sparse, but enthusiastic crowd.

“I enjoyed it,” said Robert Samuels of Dover after the last of the parade participants marched on. “I love seeing the youth get out there and do their thing.”

As far as parades go, this one was important to the 65-year-old.

The Delaware Juneteenth Association held its annual Juneteenth Parade on Monday, June 20, 2022, in Wilmington.

For him, seeing young people dancing and enjoying themselves means that despite “bad decisions” some young people may make, there are others – like the ones he saw participate in the parade – that inspire him to feel “there’s still hope in the world,” Samuels said.

Sandy Clark, a member of the Delaware Juneteenth Association stands in front of the Tubman-Garett statue

The importance, Samuels explained, is that Juneteenth is an ode to his ancestors.

“Our elders gave up so much, and we got to take advantage of it. Instead of laying back and not acknowledging them,” he said, but quickly added, “I’m sure they’re proud of us, too, today.”

Relishing in the festive mood of the parade, Samuels said he was not ready to end the festivities and planned to attend the Juneteenth festival at Tubman-Garrett Park.



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