Enthusiastic Crowds Cram Main Street for First Peekskill Juneteenth Parade

Peekskill's first Juneteenth Celebration proved a rousing success as cheering crowds lined Main Street, a multitude of bands performed and dance, and the city honored a key event in African American history.

"It seemed very jubilant. Everybody seemed to be having a really good time and the dance looked wonderful," said Peekskill resident Barbara Loprete says about the event. During the Civil War, enslaved people often called emancipation and the arrival of the Union Troops that brought it "the coming of the jubilee."

Loprete had heard of Juneteenth before, but many people have not. Juneteenth honors African American achievements, energy and contributions to society by paying tribute to the true emancipation of America's enslaved people. This first Juneteenth event appointed former Peekskill Mayor Richard Jackson, who was not only Peekskill's first African American mayor but was the first black mayor in New York State, as its grand master.

Numerous local luminaries attended the event in their official capacity, including New York State Assemblywoman Sandy Galef, Westchester County Legislator John Testa, Peekskill Mayor Mary Foster and others.

Former Peekskill Mayor and Governor George Pataki was present at the parade as a spectator. "It's tremendous. It's appropriate that Peekskill honors Mayor Jackson, the first African American mayor ever elected in the State of New York on this first Juneteenth celebration," he said.

Pataki, who was born in Peekskill, said he sticks close to his roots here, and was thrilled to see the community playing tribute to its history in such a vivid and energetic way. "I think its great. It's a great day for Peekskill, and I'm just happy to be home and seeing so many old friends," says Pataki, who was constantly being approached by people asking to shake his hand and say hello.

Juneteenth is an increasingly popular holiday that has a fascinatingly ironic twist. Although the Emancipation Proclamation was issued in 1862, it only freed slaves in areas where the Union had no official control. The Proclamation had an utterly devastating impact the Confederate economy, but the last slaves in Rebel territory weren't officially freed until after the war's end.

Texas officially emancipated its slaves on June 19, 1865. Over the years, that date became known as Juneteenth. Although it declined over the years, Juneteenth began a resurgence in the 1990s. This years first annual Juneteenth celebration was organized by Peekskill Youth Bureau director Valerie Swan, who received strong praise for her efforts.

Bands and marchers came from all over the region, and some participants even flew in from out of state. Former Peekskill resident Waymond Brothers came in from New Orleans to march in a Civil War reenactor's uniform with the Peekskill Presbyterian Church.

Marching groups ranged from numerous area marching bands to local churches, the Masons, and the Hudson Valley Health Center. Peekskill residents were pleased with the positive energy the celebration brought to the city's streets.

"I was impressed by it; I saw a marching drum band which I thought was excellent and there were dancers behind them who were really first class. I was really impressed with how professional it was," said attendee Gene Panczenko. "I was very pleased with the turnout and how well put together it was."