Hard At Work Members of Blackstone’s Juneteenth Committee, shown here outside Town Hall on April 21st, include, from left: Erielle Eppes, Janet Wilson, Chastiddy Bryant, Danielle Houdersheldt, and Ellen Eppes.
Blackstone’s 5th Annual Juneteenth Celebration is set for Saturday, June 28th.
Town Council voted 7-0 at its April 21st meeting to once again close Main Street because renovations at the Harris Memorial Armory might not be fully completed.
Main Street that day will be closed from 7:00 a.m. until 10:30 p.m., and the Town once again will be providing logistical support.
Council heard a presentation from the mother-daughter duo of Ellen Eppes, President of the Juneteenth Committee; and daughter Erielle Eppes, Vice- President.
Councilman Chris Page said he prefers that even after the armory is renovated, that the festival continue to be held downtown — as it has been since 2021. “When it does move from Main Street, I’m gonna be sad. I like it downtown.”
The Town is providing $5,000 in ‘seed money’ for the fifth straight year — funding already was included in the 2024- 25 budget — and Southside Electric recently donated $500.
Councilman Nathaniel Miller’s motion included waiving the Town’s noise ordinance and having the police department conference room available for government officials and guest speakers, use of the Town Square and Seay Park, plus other logistical support from the Town. Miller’s motion carried, 7-0.
In another 7-0 vote, Council agreed to waive the Town installation fee for a Juneteenth banner above Main Street in front of the Post Office.
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