Pound Ridge, Bedford co-host Juneteenth celebration

The towns of Bedford and Pound Ridge invite people to join the 2026 Juneteenth Celebration, an afternoon of live music, dance, community art-making and reflection honoring Juneteenth and exploring local history within the broader story of America's 250th anniversary.

The event is Friday, June 19, from 3:30 to 5 p.m., at the Bedford Hills Community House.

While 1776 marked the founding of the United States, it did not mark freedom for all. Organizers say this year's program centers Juneteenth as an essential expansion of that story, honoring the delayed emancipation of enslaved African Americans and recognizing the ongoing work of making freedom meaningful and equitable for everyone.

The event will begin with opening remarks and a moment of silence to honor formerly enslaved individuals connected to the local communities. It is followed by an original interdisciplinary performance by dancer and choreographer Claude Johnson and drummer Orion Turre. 

Through movement and live percussion, their three-part suite will explore the evolving meaning of freedom across time:

Part I: The experience of enslaved Africans in 1776, as freedom was declared but not extended to them.

Part II: Juneteenth and the arrival of emancipation.

Part III: The ongoing, collective pursuit of freedom today.

Visual artist Shanequa Benitez will lead a participatory collage-making workshop for attendees of all ages. Using custom-designed materials created specifically for the event, participants will explore themes of freedom, history, and personal reflection while creating individual artworks to take home.