Patterns of Us: A Bead Making experience with Phoebe King
African Masks: Community Workshop with Kween Moore
Join us for our 2026 MAPSO Juneteenth celebration!
The Townships of Maplewood and South Orange invite residents and visitors to join the annual MAPSO Juneteenth Celebration on Friday, June 19th, 2026. An evening of music, culture, community, and reflection commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans and celebrating the enduring contributions of Black culture.
This free, family-friendly event will bring together acclaimed performers, local leaders, arts activities, food vendors, and community organizations for an inspiring celebration of freedom, resilience, and unity.
The evening's program will begin at 5pm, with our Master of Ceremonies Nicole McSwain, entrepreneur, creative visionary, and founder of The RICH Experience. Full event lineup below:
5pm - Jeanne Ricks Project, known for blending jazz, soul, and contemporary
influences.
5:45pm - Welcome remarks from Maplewood Mayor Vic DeLuca and South Orange Mayor Sheena Collum. The ceremony will also feature a special performance of the National Anthem by 15-year-old vocalist Laila Catching Jackson.
6:05pm -Maurice Chestnut, renowned tap artist.
7:10pm - MeriKara, a jazz fusion vocalist whose work is deeply rooted in Afro-diasporic musical traditions.
8:15pm - DJ Fauzi, Newark's acclaimed "Culture Curator," whose eclectic mix of house, hip-hop, R&B, afrobeat, and soulful sounds will keep the energy high leading into the evening's grand finale.
9:00 pm - Fireworks! The sky above Memorial Park will come alive with a fireworks display celebrating freedom, community, and the spirit of Juneteenth.
Family-Friendly Activities
In addition to live entertainment, attendees can enjoy:
● Arts and crafts activities:
Patterns of Us : A bead making experience with Phoebe King
Celebrate Juneteenth through color, creativity, and self-expression. Inspired by the rich tradition of storytelling through beads and patterns found across many African cultures, participants will create handmade polymer clay heritage beads that reflect their own unique story. This activity invites us to reflect on the people, experiences, and traditions that make us who we are—one bead at a time.
African Masks: Community Art Workshop with Kween Moore
This Juneteenth-centered workshop features large-scale African-inspired mask illustrations drawn live by the teaching artist and collaboratively filled in by participants using paint markers, collage materials, patterns, and symbolic designs. Participants will explore themes of ancestry, cultural pride, storytelling, and liberation while contributing to collective artworks inspired by traditions throughout the African diaspora. Individual mask-inspired artworks may also be created and taken home.
● Bouncy house
● Seniors Tent
● Accessible sensory headphones
● Food from KB's BBQ Smokehouse
All are welcome to attend this free community celebration and participate in a day dedicated to freedom, unity, and cultural expression.