Newport’s third annual Juneteenth celebration is set for June 21, 2025, at Eisenhower Park on Washington Square. The free, family-friendly event, organized by Rhode Island Slave History Medallions (RISHM), runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and offers a variety of activities to mark the national holiday.
Kicking off with a reenactors parade and honorary musket salute, the celebration includes tributes from civic leaders, historical commentary, and performances. This year, RISHM has teamed up with the Rhode Island Secretary of State’s office to bring Don Troiani’s painting “Brave Men as Ever Fought” to the Colony House for a temporary display. The artwork showcases the 1st Rhode Island Regiment, known as the “Black Regiment” due to its mostly Black and Indigenous members.
Attendees can enjoy storytelling, historical militia demonstrations, and cultural performances. The Bristol Fife & Drum Corps will play colonial tunes, while Narragansett folk artist Thawn Harris and family will perform traditional Indigenous dances. African master drummer Sidy Maiga will lead an interactive drum circle, and gospel performances are also on the schedule.
The event will pay tribute to the late Algernon S. Ward Jr., a New Jersey historian and reenactor who took part in previous Newport Juneteenth celebrations with the Trenton Black Regiment.
For more details about the event, check out www.rishm.org.
Check out was real simple, can't wait for the tote bag