Asbury Park and Neptune Juneteenth Unity Festival and Parade

On Saturday, June 15th, Asbury Park and Neptune celebrated Juneteenth with a Unity Festival parade that made its way down W. Lake Avenue from midtown Commons Park in Neptune to Springwood Park in Asbury Park. Neptune kicked everything off at 9 a.m. with a flag-raising ceremony at the Municipal Building on Neptune Blvd. The parade left Neptune at 12:45 p.m., arriving at Springwood Park at approximately 1 p.m.

This year, two Asbury Park Organizations joined forces to present the Juneteenth Celebration: Bibi Bennett of the Zamir Ahsaad A. Dunbar Foundation and Rev. Samaj VanZant of the Inspire Life Foundation presented the event, backed up by a number of committees. Springwood Park was transformed into a marketplace, featuring more than 40 vendors and resource tables from local organizations.

A video showing preparations with various vendors is presented here by Rev. Samaj VanZant.

The “Kids Corner” featured a bouncy house, arts & crafts, games, face painting and, of course, free food. Once again this year the Cazzeek Brothers manned the grill. Ms. Bennett said that thanks to Interfaith Neighbors, there was salad and some veggies for the grill.

The Asbury Park Juneteenth Organization honored two women from the community. At 108, Mrs. Ruth E. Bell is looked to as a mother to the community, and Nina Summerlin, who has volunteered with many events and committees over the years, is a highly regarded community leader.

Six fathers or father figures were also honored: Layander Muhammad, Kerwin Webb, Mychal Mills, Rodney Solomon, William (Hakeem) Young and Lt. Lorenzo Pettway. Of course the day was filled with music and entertainment. The Emcees for the afternoon were Brother Tyrone Laws and Kelly Weedon. Brother Laws opened the day by pouring libation and honoring the ancestors.