Events

Juneteenth Is Our Country’s Second Independence Day

Published

2 years ago

June 9, 2024

On the evening of January 1, 1863, enslaved and free African Americans gathered in churches and private homes all across the country awaiting news that the Emancipation Proclamation had taken effect. At the stroke of midnight, prayers were answered and all enslaved people in Confederate States were declared legally free. Union soldiers, many of whom were black, marched onto plantations and across cities in the south reading small copies of the Emancipation Proclamation spreading the news of freedom in Confederate States. The Thirteenth Amendment ended slavery throughout the United States.

But not everyone in Confederate territory would immediately be free. Even though the Emancipation Proclamation was made effective in 1863, it could not be implemented in places still under Confederate control. As a result, in the westernmost Confederate state of Texas, enslaved people would not be free until much later. Freedom finally came on June 19, 1865, when some 2,000 Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas. The army announced that the more than 250,000 enslaved black people in the state, were free by executive decree.

Juneteenth is our country’s second independence day. This occasion has been celebrated by African American communities for over 150 years. Yet some Americans are not aware of this monumental event. On June 17, 2021 a bill was signed making Juneteenth the 11th American federal holiday. Juneteenth is celebrated every year on June 19th.

Events

Italian Feast & Carnival Returns to Tappan Sept. 10–13, 2026

Published

6 days ago

August 7, 2026

Rockland Report Admin

One of the Hudson Valley’s largest celebrations of Italian heritage is set to return this September as the annual Italian Feast & Carnival takes over Masonic Park Fairgrounds in Tappan.

The four-day event will be held September 10–13, 2026, at Masonic Park Fairgrounds, 89 Western Highway, Tappan, conveniently located near the Palisades Parkway, Exit 5 South.

Organizers describe the festival as the largest cultural event in Rockland and Westchester counties, featuring authentic Italian food, carnival rides, games, family-friendly activities, and free live entertainment throughout the weekend.

The festival schedule includes:

Thursday, Sept. 10: 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 11: 5 p.m. to Midnight
Saturday, Sept. 12: Noon to Midnight
Sunday, Sept. 13: Noon to 9 p.m., with an Outdoor Mass at 10 a.m.

Guests can also enjoy a casino, a Super 50/50 Grand Prize Raffle, and a variety of attractions for all ages.

Admission is $10 per person, and free parking will be available on-site.

Festival organizers remind attendees that outside food and beverages, coolers, backpacks, and pets are not permitted on the grounds.

Events

Free National Night Out 2026 Clover Stadium on August 6

Published

1 week ago

August 4, 2026

Rockland Report Admin

The annual National Night Out will return to Clover Stadium on Thursday, August 6, bringing together law enforcement, first responders, and the community for an evening of family-friendly activities and entertainment.

The free event begins at 5 p.m., with the official ceremony scheduled to start on the field at 6:30 p.m. A baseball game will follow at 7 p.m.

National Night Out is designed to strengthen relationships between law enforcement, emergency responders, and the communities they serve. The event offers residents an opportunity to meet local police officers, firefighters, EMS personnel, and other first responders in a fun and welcoming environment.

Attendees can enjoy live music, face painting, bounce houses, giveaways, and interactive activities for all ages. Police, fire, and emergency vehicles will be on display, along with K-9 demonstrations and mounted police horses.

Organizers say the event is free and open to the public, encouraging families from across Rockland County to attend and spend an evening with the men and women who serve their communities.

National Night Out has been celebrated nationwide since 1984 and has become an annual tradition in communities across the country, promoting public safety, crime prevention, and stronger partnerships between residents and first responders.