By MADDY VITALE
Ocean City came together to honor and celebrate the African American communities in town and the families whose roots run deep, going back several generations.
From residents to those who moved away, but never forgot where they grew up, Saturday was a day of celebration, a time to reflect and catch up during the Juneteenth event between 7th and 8th Streets and Haven Avenue.
On June 19, 1865, enslaved Africans in Texas learned of their freedom, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. It is a day that has been celebrated since then, according to the Ocean City Juneteenth Organization.
There was food, live music, vendors, standup comedy, bounce houses, vendors and enough to keep attendees having a memorable time together.
Shemelda DeWitt, of Blackwood, N.J., and her stepdaughter, Ayanna Harris, browsed some of the vendor tables and stopped at a few, including one that had several handbags on display.
She spoke of the importance of hosting a Juneteenth celebration.
“I think it is nice to give everyone awareness of Juneteenth,” DeWitt said.
She noted that she was born and raised in Ocean City and remains very proud of her community.
“I tell everyone that I am from Ocean City. The schools are great. The town is nice. It’s a nice place to bring up your family,” DeWitt said.
Each year, except for the height of the pandemic, Josh Baker and some close friends, who grew up in Ocean City, organize an event to highlight the day and to honor the families in town.
This year, Baker partnered with fellow former Ocean City resident, Dan Sinclair, to create the festival.
Sinclair, who resides in Atlanta, Ga., organizes festivals around the country.
“We all grew up together. That is why we come back,” Baker said. “We come back, and it is really a community reunion each year.”
The Juneteenth event has also been held at the Ocean City High School, and was organized by Baker and his friends, Takiya Wilson and Brittany Battle.
This year, Baker said when he spoke with Sinclair, they decided to create the event outside.
As Baker looked out at the crowd of festival goers having a good time, he said the hope is to offer it every other year, possibly alternating between the one at the high school he gives and the festival.
Both ways, however, the focus will be to celebrate the historical and cultural legacy of Ocean City’s black community.
Sinclair said he was happy to be a part of helping make the event possible Saturday.
“This is great. It’s nice to come back to the neighborhood and remember a lot of people who are not here anymore, and share memories with those who are here,” Sinclair said.
State Assemblyman Antwan McClellan chatted with his niece, Keira Davis. McClellan also grew up in Ocean City and still lives in town. He and Baker are longtime friends.
He called the new event “awesome.”
“The weather held out,” McClellan said. “The turnout is great.”
He spoke about growing up in Ocean City with Baker and others in attendance.
“We all look out for each other,” McClellan said. “My parents and grandparents and so many other families are here. It is an unbelievably big family reunion.”
Nakia Miller, of Gulfport, Miss., grew up in Pleasantville, N.J., but her roots in Ocean City run deep. Her grandmother lives in Ocean City. Her father, who passed away in November, worked in Ocean City for many years and many of her friends are still in the area.
“Josh Baker and I have been friends since we were young. Our families are friends. We are all very close and do anything for each other,” Miller said. “I told Josh I needed to make plans in Ocean City and do something in memory of my dad.”
Baker knew just the right event to bring Miller back to the area for a weekend – the Juneteenth celebration.
Miller and her mother, Sandra Edwards, who also lives in Mississippi, were happy to attend the event, Miller, who brought along her children, stressed.
“What a wonderful day it is,” she said.
Ocean City firefighters were also on hand and gave firefighter Wallace Gilchrist an award for his service to the community.
In addition to McClellan, other dignitaries were also in attendance, including Mayor Jay Gillian.
Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey Sutherland and Cheryl Spaulding, the public information officer for the prosecutor’s office, stood at the Hope 1 van and vendor table with an array of handouts for the public.
“This is a nice turnout,” Sutherland said.
“This is definitely an event that should continue,” Spaulding added.
