A free, public Juneteenth holiday event will be taking placethis Sunday and Monday, June 18 and 19 in Washington Square, Newport! Organized by the group behind the Rhode Island Slave History Medallion project, the program will feature family activities to celebrate and honor the enslaved heroes of the 1st Rhode Island “Black” Regiment.

The event features local and regional Continental militia in encampments at the Great Friends Meeting House grounds, demonstrations of colonial life and crafts, guest speakers, and African and Indigenous tribal members, historic
Colony House tours, live music, children's crafts, games, and a hands-on
African drum circle with master artist Sidy Maiga, an outdoor food court, and
much more.

America’s first integrated military unit was the 1st Rhode Island, known as the “Black Regiment,” whose members were mostly enslaved African and Indigenous men who fought bravely to protect Rhode Island from British attack at the 1778 Battle of Rhode Island. They fought in 10 battles and marched 500 miles south to join General Washington’s forces to prevail at the Siege of Yorktown, the last battle of the Revolutionary War.

WHEN: Sunday, June 18 and Monday, June 19 from 11am-4pm

WHERE: Washington Square, Newport

MORE INFO: This event is free and open to the public. To learn more, click here.