ARTICLE
The YMCA of Delaware invites the community to celebrate Juneteenth at any of our Delaware locations. On Wednesday, June 19th, all branches will be open to the community for free. Guests are welcome to stop in to work out in the fitness center, swim in the indoor pool, try a free group exercise class and more. Each location will also honor the holiday with special activities and events. Learn more at www.ymcade.org. YMCA JUNETEENTH EVENTS • Walnut Street YMCA: Saturday, June 15th, 12 - 3 p.m. This incredible event will feature food vendors, open swim, live music celebrating African American culture & history, educational booths on the significance of the Juneteenth holiday, face painting, games, storytelling sessions and much more. This event is open to the community. • Bear-Glasgow Family YMCA: Wednesday, June 19th, 3 – 6 p.m. Join the Bear-Glasgow Family Y for our Juneteenth celebration featuring inflatables, food trucks, yard games, group exercise classes, refreshments, and more. • Middletown Family YMCA: Wednesday, June 19th, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Join the Middletown Family YMCA for a community-wide celebration of Juneteenth. Come enjoy bounce houses, special outdoor classes and more! • Brandywine YMCA, Wednesday, June 19th The Brandywine YMCA invites its members to the Hanby Outdoor Center to have pizza by the outdoor pool from 3 – 8 p.m., take part in our Juneteenth themed Aqua Zumba class from 7-7:45 p.m., or bring your friends to the Brandywine Y for our Juneteenth Dance Celebration from 5:30 – 7 p.m. • Western Family YMCA: Wednesday, June 19th Join the Western Family YMCA on June 19th as we celebrate Juneteenth with special fitness activities, such as Aqua Zumba from 10 – 11:30 a.m. and Turn Up from 6:45 – 8 p.m. • Dover YMCA: Wednesday, June 19th Stop by the lobby as we’ll feature vendors from Black-owned businesses in our community. • Sussex Family YMCA - Saturday, June 15th, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. The Sussex Family Y will host an incredible event where the community will take a special walk through time featuring local Black-owned businesses, vendors and performers. This event is open to the community. “Juneteenth is a time to honor the suffering and perseverance of African Americans throughout history, to celebrate our progress as a nation, and to remember the injustices and struggles Black Americans have faced and triumphed over,” said YMCA of Delaware President & CEO Jarrett Royster. “American history includes some painful chapters, but it’s our responsibility to drive change and continuously move forward. The YMCA is dedicated to being a beacon of hope for everyone, and we will persist in advocating for equity for all.” The YMCA of Delaware is an inclusive organization open to all people regardless of ability, age, background, ethnicity/race, faith, gender, gender identity or sexual orientation. For more than 165 years, the Y has played a central role in knitting together the vibrant fabric of America. There have been times of peace and times of conflict, times of unity and times of discord. Through it all, our democracy has persevered, and the Y has been a safe, welcoming place for people from all backgrounds.