Juneteenth Jubilee for the Vineyard has been a curated event designed by Kahina Van Dyke, our Island real estate and program events impresario in Oak Bluffs. She and Kharma Finley Jackson have been organizing for many months to deliver an innovative and inspiring weekend of activities.
Let’s share some history. June 19, 1865 was the day that enslaved African Americans in Texas were told that slavery had ended. This was some two years after the Emancipation Proclamation had been signed , and just two months after Confederate General Robert E. Lee had surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox.
Unknown to many was the fact that despite this formal surrender, the Confederate army continued to fight in Texas until mid-May. After this last gasp of the South trying to hold on, Major General Gordon Granger prepared and issued General Order Number 3, announcing the end of legalized slavery in Texas!
This federal holiday comes at a time in the calendar that allows the Vineyard to expand the season to attract visitors and guests beyond the power-packed somewhat over-crowded months of July and August to enjoy the Island in a more relaxing fashion. Friday begins the action at 3:30 p.m. with a conversation at Union Chapel on the topic of Freedom at 250: From Revolution to Juneteenth.
This will be followed by a documentary entitled Black Patriots: Heroes of the Revolution.
On Saturday, June 20 the place to be is the Oak Bluffs Library beginning at 11:30 a.m. Come back on Sunday to Union Chapel to hear the dynamic preaching of Rev. Willie Broderick from historic 12th Baptist Church in Boston. His Boston church was the home of Martin and Coretta King when they studied at Boston University and the New England Conservatory respectively.
Finish the morning by joining the Vineyard Gazette at the Edgartown Yacht Club as they present a Gospel Brunch.
And if you don’t get enough to eat there or want to support the Vineyard Branch of the NAACP, come over to the Portuguese American Club at 2 p.m. to taste amazing food by the Island’s BIPOC chefs.
Let’s celebrate our Jubilee Freedom but be ever mindful that democracy can be fleeting!
The Cottagers, Inc. are formally opening their newly renovated and refurbished Headquarters at 57 Pequot avenue on Wednesday, June 24 at 3 p.m. There will be a formal ribbon cutting ceremony with remarks by Cottagers president Pat Bush and invited guests. All are invited to this special occasion.
Paradise on earth is living the Vineyard experience. Enjoy it as life is fleeting.
Rest in Peace Randall Edward Taylor
This article appears in June 19, 2026.