The Y For All – Celebrating Juneteenth Together

At the Y, we celebrate this powerful moment in our nation’s history together and honor the enslaved individuals who suffered for so many years. As we remember, we encourage you to join us in taking social responsibility in our communities. We can be the change together and forge a brighter future for ourselves, our youth, our neighbors, and everyone in between. Find out how you can celebrate freedom this Juneteenth with us below!

Celebrate With Us!

All YMCA of Delaware locations will be open to the community, June 19th for free! Check the list below for activities by location. *Excludes outdoor pools. 

  • Walnut Street YMCA – Saturday, June 14th
    Join the Walnut Street Y from 1 – 4 p.m. for our Juneteenth Block Party! Get ready for an incredible event that will feature live performances, a DJ and music, family fun, vendors, access to our indoor pool, and much more. This event is open to the community.
  • Central YMCA – Thursday, June 19th
    Join the Central YMCA for self-guided games in the small gymnasium from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Community members will have the opportunity to take part in fun games like Giant Jenga, Giant Connect Four, Cornhole and more! Central members and program participants are also invited to take advantage of programs and events offered at the Walnut Street YMCA on June 14th.
  • Bear-Glasgow Family YMCA – Thursday, June 19th
    Join the Bear-Glasgow YMCA from 3 – 6 p.m. for our Juneteenth Outdoor Celebration!
    Featuring:

    • Inspiring speakers
    • Music & dancing
    • Food trucks
    • Inflatables & yard games
    • Community partners
    • And so much more!
  • Middletown Family YMCA – Thursday, June 19th
    Join the Middletown Family YMCA for a community-wide celebration of Juneteenth. We will have a Black-owned Business Fair from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., local food trucks, as well as a special pop up Step class! Stop by the membership desk for details!
  • Brandywine YMCA – Thursday, June 19th
    The Brandywine YMCA invites the community to give back during our blood drive hosted by the Blood Bank of DE from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. They will bring their Blood Mobile, and it will be in our Parking Lot. You can pre-register here. We also invite our members to a Pizza party and a special Juneteenth Aqua Zumba class at the Hanby Outdoor Pool that evening.
  • Western Family YMCA  – Thursday, June 19th
    Join us at Western Family YMCA on June 19th as we celebrate Juneteenth with special fitness activities, such as Aqua Zumba from 10:15 to 11:15 a.m. in the 10 Lane pool with Tia and Cindy! The fun continues with a DJ at the family fun complex from 4 to 6 p.m.
  • Dover YMCA – Thursday, June 19th
    Join the Dover YMCA for a fun raffle where one lucky participant can win a one month complimentary family membership! We also invite the community to our outdoor Zumba Class from 5:15 – 6 p.m.
  • Sussex Family YMCA – Thursday, June 19th
    Join the Sussex Family Y in the gymnasium from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. as we host Joe Lawson, Executive Director of the Southern Delaware Alliance for Racial Justice. He’ll share his incredble Y Story, the impact the YMCA has had on him in his life, and the discuss what the Alliance has to offer. The event will be followed by light refreshments and a Q & A with Joe.

What is Juneteenth?

On June 19, our YMCA celebrates Juneteenth, Freedom Day!  Juneteenth is the oldest nationally-celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. Although the Emancipation Proclamation was signed on January 1, 1863, it took two and a half years for the slaves in the state of Texas to hear of their freedom. Juneteenth is the celebration of the day in the United States when all enslaved individuals became aware of their freedom.

Although Juneteenth has been considered a Texas holiday, it has slowly gained recognition across the country. Today, many communities organize local Juneteenth celebrations which include the reading of the Emancipation Proclamation, singing traditional songs, prayer, participating in cookouts, picnics, street fares, parades, brass bands, and rodeos – all to commemorate and honor slaves of that time, and their descendants.

Learn More about Juneteenth History

Our Mission

To empower youth, foster healthy living, and promote strong communities.