06/05/2026
Edit: PLEASE SEE OUR PINNED POST
Statement from the Allegany County NAACP Regarding the 2026 Juneteenth Festival
Good Afternoon,
To our Allegany County NAACP members, supporters, and community partners:
It is with great disappointment that the Executive Committee of the Allegany County NAACP announces the cancellation of this year's Juneteenth Festival.
As many of you know, Allegany County was the first community in our region to host a Juneteenth celebration of this kind six years ago. What began as a march has grown into a meaningful tradition that has brought together families, businesses, organizations, and residents from across the area to celebrate freedom, culture, and community.
Unfortunately, due to a lack of sponsorships and limited vendor participation, we are unable to produce the quality event that our community has come to expect and deserves. While this decision was not made lightly, it was made after carefully reviewing our available resources and our ability to provide a safe, successful, and meaningful experience for attendees.
We would also like to remind the community that the individuals who plan, organize, and work this festival are volunteers. For years, they have dedicated countless hours of their personal time, energy, and resources away from their families and responsibilities to create an event that everyone could enjoy. Community events of this scale require not only volunteer commitment but also strong financial support, sponsorships, and participation from local businesses and vendors.
To ensure there is no confusion or misinformation regarding this decision, we want to share the following facts:
The festival received only one sponsorship contribution.
Nine vendors registered through Givebutter.
All registered vendors and our sponsor have been notified, and refunds will be processed accordingly.
We would also like to extend our sincere appreciation to Jerome Younger, his family, and friends for their generous offer to provide free food for the event. Their continued commitment to serving our community and supporting their hometown is truly admirable. We are deeply grateful for their willingness to help and equally saddened that we were unable to reach the financial goals necessary to move forward with the festival.
While we are disappointed by this outcome, we remain committed to serving our community and hope to host an event later this year if circumstances allow.
In the meantime, we encourage residents to support the Juneteenth celebrations being held in Frederick County, Washington County, and Garrett County. These communities have supported our efforts over the years, and we encourage everyone to show them the same support.
Thank you to everyone who has supported the Allegany County NAACP and our Juneteenth celebrations over the past six years. We look forward to continuing our work together and finding new opportunities to celebrate our history, culture, and community in the future.
Sincerely,
The Executive Committee
Allegany County NAACP
