From June 15 to June 19, Juneteenth celebrations are planned in Potomac and Bethesda to honor the 80 historic Black communities that once flourished in Montgomery County.
Members of the Scotland community, which still is home to residents and their ancestors of the area around Seven Locks Road in Potomac, are spearheading the celebrations.
Money earned during the events will benefit the rebuilding of the Scotland AME Zion Church as well as Emory Grove United Methodist Church, 1 Uphandles, Soul in Motion African Dancers and Drummers, Future Stars and Reach Beyond Basketball.
The Scotland AME Zion Church made about $60,000 from the proceeds from last summer’s Juneteenth celebration. That money will help pay for reconstruction of the 100-year-old church from flood damage. Plans also call for expanding the church.
“I wanted to be able to give back, to create a Scotland Juneteenth Heritage Festival that celebrated and supported all the historic Black communities of Montgomery County,” said LaTisha Gasaway-Paul, the festival chairperson.
Opening night festivities start June 15 at the Bethesda Theater and feature the Chuck Brown Band, Daryl Davis and Jenny Langer and teen sensation Kelvin Dukes. On June 16, faith leaders will gather for breakfast at the Bethesda Marriott on Pooks Hill Road.
Other events include a basketball clinic on June 17 and a football clinic on June 18. Keandre Jones of the Washington Commanders is expected to attend the football clinic.
During a Friday afternoon press conference, Jones, a linebacker, vowed to be involved not just in the Annual Scotland Juneteenth Heritage Festival but the entire community as well.
“To be honest, this is home. This is where I am from. This is what built me. This is the village that created the opportunities for me to advance my career,” he said.
While a Cincinnati Bengal, Jones created a mentorship program where he helped young people gain resources and skills in such areas as banking, design, real estate, career development and marketing.
“I want to continue to make an impact in my community and leave a legacy,” said Jones, whose mother lives in Montgomery Village. “It has always been bigger than football. It’s about impact, togetherness, and that’s what I see here,” he said, referring to the Juneteenth sponsors.
Montgomery County Council President Andrew Friedson stressed the importance of the celebration, “We can’t right every historical wrong, but we can move in that direction,” he said.
“Today we are celebrating Black freedom,” said Councilmember Laurie Ann Sayles. “We will not give up. We will continue to fight. We will continue to hope,” she said, adding, “I am committed to lifting up all voices.”
The activities will revolve around a Caribbean Carnival theme “to pay homage to the emancipation of freed slaves across the Caribbean,” said Gasaway-Paul.
The festivities include:
June 15 — Opening Night Celebration, 5-10 p.m. at Bethesda Theater
June 16 — Interfaith Breakfast, 10 a.m.-noon, Marriott Convention Center
Community Cleanup, 3-5 p.m., location TBD
June 17 — Basketball Clinic, 7-8:30 p.m., Cabin John Middle School
June 18 — Football Clinic, 7-8:30 pm., Winston Churchill High School
June 19 – Juneteenth 5K and Family Walk, 8 a.m., Bells Mills Elementary
Opening Ceremony, 9-9:45 a.m., Cabin John Village
Classic Car Show, 9 a.m.-noon, Cabin John Village
Interfaith & Social Action Pavilion, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Cabin John Village
Health & Wellness Pavilion, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Cabin John Village
History Lectures, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Cabin John Village
Art Show, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Cabin John Village
Music and Dance, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Cabin John Village
History Pavilion, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Cabin John Village
Children’s Carnival, 11 a.m.-8 p.m., Cabin John Regional Park
Food Court, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Cabin John Regional Park
Juneteenth Parade, 1:30 – 2:30 p.m., Cabin John Regional Park
Baseball & Softball Clinic, 4-5:30 p.m., Povich Field
Juneteenth Community Dinner, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Povich Field
First Pitch Ceremony, 6:30-7 p.m., Povich Field
Pint Isreal Baseball Classic, 7-10 p.m., Povich Field
The rain couldn’t keep us away from speaking at and attending the Scotland Community’s Juneteenth Preview Press Conference today. These events celebrate the history and foster lot community spirit. Thank you to all organizers and contributors. pic.twitter.com/4SeJzLvKbi
— County Exec Marc Elrich (@MontCoExec) April 19, 2024
