Farmers market and library to host Juneteenth celebrations

The Tuscarawas Valley Farmers Market and the Dover Public Library will host a two-part Juneteenth celebration June 18 and 19 in Dover, honoring the national holiday with cultural programming, storytelling and community engagement.

The second annual Juneteenth event at the farmers market will take place Wednesday, June 18 from 3-7 p.m. at the Tuscarawas County Fairgrounds. The featured presentation will begin at 5 p.m. at the Clover Leaf Café, where the Rev. Rodney Sutton will share his personal story and prepare traditional Juneteenth foods as part of a live demonstration.

“Our inaugural Juneteenth event featured Rev. Sutton, and based on feedback from attendees, we invited him back again this year,” the board of directors said in a joint statement. “He will share his journey as an African American, a story of trials to triumph, and we are honored to welcome him again.”

Sutton’s presentation is designed to offer insight into African American culture and history through the lens of lived experience and food traditions.

The celebration will continue Thursday, June 19 at 6:30 p.m. at the Dover Public Library, 525 N. Walnut St. The program titled Juneteenth: Tin Town and Beyond was created in collaboration with the First Baptist Church and coordinated by Colby Byrom. It will feature panelists Charlene Hunter, Catherine Kelker, James Mills, Rex Ray and Jackie Sherrell, who will share stories and photographs that explore the heritage and contributions of the African American community in Dover and across Tuscarawas County.

“This event is a powerful opportunity to explore the cultural roots and lived experiences of a community whose voice has not always been heard,” the farmers market board said. “By partnering with the Dover Public Library, we are proud to help bring these important stories to the forefront.”

The Tuscarawas Valley Farmers Market operates Wednesdays from June 1 to Oct. 8 from 3-7 p.m., except during the Tuscarawas County Fair Sept. 17. The market features local produce, baked goods, food trucks, cooking demonstrations, and a rotating list of community partners including the Tuscarawas County Public Library Mobile Services Department, Advocates for Success and Healthy Tusc.

For more information visit www.tvffm.org or follow the market on Facebook.