Newton held its sixth annual Juneteenth celebration on Friday, with an all-day schedule of events at Newton North High School and the Hyde Community Center. The federal holiday commemorates the anniversary of the end of slavery in the United States. 

The day began with a visit from New England Patriots team members for a “skills and drills” football clinic at NNHS. Students had the chance to learn tips and tricks on the field from Patriots players who volunteered. 

Mayor Marc Laredo spoke on stage at the event, sharing words of welcome to the city’s diversity of ethnic and religious backgrounds. Tamika Olszewski, chair of the Juneteenth planning committee and Ward 4 school committee member, moderated the event, introducing a number of speakers and performances throughout the afternoon. 

Olszewski told the Newton Beacon that the goal each year is to increase interactive elements and make sure there are always some free offerings at the celebration. This year, attendees had the opportunity to participate in the jump rope game Double Dutch, which has roots in Black American culture, and were also offered free slushies and cupcakes. 

Mayor Marc Laredo and School Committee member Tamika Olszewski greet visitors at Newton’s Juneteenth Festival at the Hyde Community Center on June 19, 2026. Photo by Bryan McGonigle

“I think it’s important for Newton to have a Juneteenth festival, just as it’s important to have an Eid festival, just as it’s important to have an India Day festival,” she said. “All of the cultures, all of the heritages, all of the races … I didn’t grow up with Juneteenth, but I’ve adopted it.”

Late last month, Muslims from Newton and neighboring communities gathered at the City Hall War Memorial to celebrate Eid-al-Adha, a yearly holiday honoring Abraham’s sacrifice of his son in obedience to a command from God. A group of Newton and Brookline residents wrote a letter to mayor Marc Laredo filled with unsubstantiated and discriminatory claims of the event’s sponsors having ties to terrorist activity, and criticizing his administration’s decision to rent out the War Memorial Auditorium for the celebration. 

Friday’s event also honored NNHS outgoing principal Henry Turner, who is leaving to become superintendent of Reading Public Schools. 

“This community has a long history of civil rights and a strong black community, whether it’s through the Underground Railroad [or] having the Myrtle Baptist Church,” Turner told the Newton Beacon. “I think that there’s an importance to recognize our history.”

Newton North Principal Henry Turner listens to speakers announce an award in his honor as he prepares to leave NPS for a superintendent job in Reading at Newton’s Juneteenth Festival at the Hyde Community Center on June 19, 2026. Photo by Bryan McGonigle

Newton resident Enrique Rosero said he attended the celebration in part because of the recognition of Turner and his work as NNHS principal for the last 10 years. 

“I think nowadays that diversity is under attack. It’s paramount to keep remembering the importance of the celebration (and) that not everyone was free,” Rosero said. “I have an admiration for the work that Principal Turner has done, the battles that he has endured as one of the champions of DEI.”

Newton Public Schools approved a new budget in April that would reduce a full-time DEI role to part-time in order to free up funding for a new math curriculum, giving rise to criticism from many parents who believe the change went against the city’s values. 

Event organizer Devlin Scott, pastor of NewCity Church and chairperson for the Newton Coalition for Black Residents, said this year’s Juneteenth celebration was the first to last all day, from the Patriots football clinic to performances and vendor booths outside The Hyde to a screening of Black Panther at the end of the night. 

“I think what’s really special and exciting about this year is that we’ve been able to expand this throughout most of the day,” he said. “It was great to partner with a bunch of organizations that wanted to celebrate with us for Juneteenth.” 

Dancers dazzle the crowds during Newton’s Juneteenth Festival at the Hyde Community Center on June 19, 2026. Photo by Bryan McGonigle

At the celebration, vendor Marie-France Merisier sold handmade, eco and allergen-friendly jewelry inspired by her Haitian roots. She said her colorful earrings, necklaces and brooches are meant to be statement pieces.  

“I think it’s important to further echo our joy, our joy for living and our joy for all things that we deserve to experience,” she said. “My pieces are colorful and exclusive, and I think it adds to the celebration.” 

Merisier said she has been invited by Newton Juneteenth organizers for the past few years. Her jewelry business is named Kadokélé, a combination of the word for “gift” in Haitian Creole and her late uncle Kélé. 

Devlin added that it’s important to celebrate how the right decision was eventually made and slavery in the U.S. finally ended. 

“We’re talking about the celebration of the freedom of slaves, something that is a part of the history of our country, and it’s one part of our country’s history we ought to be proud of,” he said. “I think if we’re going to celebrate America, we have to celebrate that as well.”

MORE IMAGES

Left to right: Hani Murad, Brittany Schwartz, Jill Charney, Noorie Frank, Noam Shoresh and Sue Lanser welcome visitors to the SAWA tent at Newton’s Juneteenth celebration on June 19, 2026. Photo by Bryan McGonigle

Left to right: City Councilor Randy Block, Bonnie Loewenstein, City Councilor Tarik Lucas and City Councilor Julia Malakie mingle as Dancers dazzle the crowd at Newton’s Juneteenth Festival at the Hyde Community Center on June 19, 2026. Photo by Bryan McGonigle

Dancers entertain the crowds during Newton’s Juneteenth Festival at the Hyde Community Center on June 19, 2026. Photo by Bryan McGonigle