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4th Annual Juneteenth Freedom Parade and Festival at Tappen Park
- Dorcas Meyers
- Jun 18
- 3 min read
Staten Island - Saturday, June 14, 2025 - Despite the rain, "I got Sunshine on a Cloudy day" was the sentiment of attendees at the Roc-A-Natural Cultural Foundation Inc's 4th Annual Juneteenth Freedom Parade and Festival at Tappen Park-Stapleton.
There was not a frown in the place. People came together in unity to commemorate and celebrate Juneteenth marking the emancipation of enslaved African Americans, and challenging us to keep striving toward justice and inclusion.
A huge THANK YOU to all who traveled from our neighboring NYC boroughs and Tri-State area, and Dennis McKeon, SI Prop Shop who enabled us to have the props that were used throughout the reenactment. A special "thank you" to our local Staten Islanders who participated, sponsored, donated, vendored and volunteered their services at the only "edu-taining" and culturally developed Juneteenth event on Staten Island.
Just as our ancestors, they didn't waver in their quest for freedom and neither did we when it came to commemorating and celebrating Freedom Day in the rain. It was amazing!
See below what a few attendees had to say:
"It feels good today in Tappen Park to be in a community that is so vibrantly emancipated--and emancipating. We exited today with the soulful psalm "I got Sunshine on a Cloudy day" and the encouragement of our neigbors that this is OUR neighborhood in OUR city. We make it beautiful. Thank you Roc-A-Natural and partners for showing us the way."-- Sam Cristy, community organizer, Mariners Harbor
"I would like to say thank you for the opportunity. My students and I got to experience a part of history and it was a great cultural experience." Said Natasha Wheeler, The Harborview School P.S. 59, Staten Island
"Good morning Dorcas I just wanna thank you again for another spectacular event. I know the rain came down and I wish I could’ve stayed at the park and saw everything but I had to get back. I actually enjoyed it rain and All!! See you soon.❤️❤️" Said Dakota Mckoy, Staten Island
"Good morning Cowgirl. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and were honored to represent our ancestor's contribution to establishing America. I applaud you for your efforts and vision and we look forward to partnering with you for future events. The horses bring a majesty like no other animal and allowing them to lead off and set the tone for what was to come was a brilliant idea that we commend you for. Keep up the good work and let me know how we can partner with your upcoming fundraising events. As you know next year's Staten Island Juneteenth parade prep started yesterday to ensure that 2026 will be even better. We will include a brief educational talk about the history of the black Cowboy and Cowgirl at the ending festival in the park. God bless you, Cowgirl, we are praying for you and the best is yet to come😇🥰" Said Cowboy Richard, Crazy Faith Riders of NJ
"Thank you for the privilege of being part of something so essential and motivating for our people. As President of the 726 Black Caucus and a member of the Righteous Riders for Christ. Thank you again." said Keith Sellers, SI/NJ
"Refreshing and rejuvenating. a most needed breath of rEvolutionary air with the festivities, food, culture, and people. our maroon cubs (4) were entertained and educated. the reenactment was the highlight for us all. the chills, the feels, and the call to continue to resist and fight for liberation was repeated. legacy is liberation and the Juneteenth Freedom Parade gave us just that.
It was also an honor to present as we celebrated our freedom while continuing to call for freedom for all (Palestine, Rwanda, The Congo...) we are not truly free as a people until and unless we are all free as a people. love light and liberation.
maroon on" -- Spiritchild, maroon party for liberation
See below article from the SI Advance:
*Music to video created for Juneteenth, Unity by IAMI, Manners and Respect Music drops on Thursday, June 19, 2025.
**Photo credits by Steve White for SI Advance
To stay "edu-tained", follow IG @rocanaturalculturalfoundation & FB @rocanaturalculturalfoundation
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