Three Big Events Planned Downtown for Saturday
Community a Focus at Trio of Gatherings
STAMFORD — This Saturday, June 14, will be a busy day in the city’s downtown. From an opportunity to check out and buy crafts from nearby artists to a local edition of a national protest and a Juneteenth celebration, the neighborhood will be busy with pedestrians active in the area.
Here’s what you need to know.
Arts & Crafts on Bedford
Nearly 60 vendors from throughout the region will set up unique, hand-crafted goods along Bedford Street to display and sell as part of Arts & Crafts on Bedford, a signature event for Stamford Downtown, from 10:00 am to 6:30 pm. A full list of participants and other information is available here.
Additionally, many Bedford Street restaurants will offer expansive outdoor dining options.
During the semi-annual event, the Friends Book Shop will be on site outside the Ferguson Library’s main branch for their popular bag sale where, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, interested customers can fill one of the Shop’s bags with as many available books, CDs, and DVDs as possible for just $15.
Alternatively, each item can be purchased individually for $1. In terms of payment methods, they accept cash, checks, credit or debit cards, and Apple Pay.
No Kings Day of Defiance
In response to the Trump Administration’s ongoing authoritarian behavior, local activist group Indivisible Stamford is hosting a “No Kings” rally and march.
Starting at noon and concluding at 1:30 pm, protestors will head from the Judicial District Court (123 Hoyt Street) to downtown Stamford while decrying the President’s controversial policies.
Registration is available here. Learn more about the broader No Kings effort here.
In Connecticut alone, nearly three dozen “No Kings” protests will be conducted as part of the more than 1,500 being planned in every state across the country.
A press release from the national coalition behind the protests this Saturday said that “[t]he ‘No Kings’ mobilization is a direct response to Donald Trump’s self-aggrandizing $100 million military parade and birthday celebration, an event funded by taxpayers while millions are told there's no money for Social Security, SNAP, Medicaid, or public schools.”
The announcement also emphasized that all affiliated events will “adhere to a shared commitment to nonviolent protest and community safety.”
On Thursday, June 12, agents with the Trump Administration’s Department of Homeland Security forcibly removed U.S. Senator Alex Padilla during a press conference with the agency’s leader, Secretary Kristi Noem, simply for trying to ask a question. This is just the latest reckless action since the current presidential administration began in January.
Among other organizers of the No Kings march in Stamford are Indivisible Greenwich, Good Trouble Norwalk, ReSisters, and Indivisible CT4 (ICT4).
Indivisible Stamford has held many community and protest events in recent months, including an Elon Musk protest at Tesla’s Stamford location in March with about 300 attendees and a “Hands Off” march where around 5,000 people took part.
Juneteenth Day
Also happening on Saturday is the city’s 5th annual Juneteenth celebration with a theme of “Family and Community.”
A press release from organizers said “we will celebrate freedom and the advancements of Black people by showcasing Black culture through food, entertainment and fun activities. … Since inception, Stamford’s citywide Juneteenth celebration has been a day to remember and we plan to keep that momentum going by increasing participation and catering the event to all ages. This is a free event open to the public and [we] look forward to see[ing] everyone there!”
Things will kick off with a flag raising outside Stamford Government Center at 1:00 pm. The event website indicates that this portion of the celebration will include the city’s Juneteenth Committee chair Jaclyn Williams, Reverend Andre Bradley of Union Baptist Church, Juneteenth Grand Marshal and State Senator Patricia Billie Miller, and Mayor Caroline Simmons as well as the playing of the national anthem and the Black national anthem.
There will also be a reading of General Order No. 3, which formally declared in 1865 that all enslaved people in Texas were now free.
From there, a parade will head down Washington Boulevard toward Mill River Park at 1:30 pm. This phase of the celebration will feature a community choir, marching band, steppers, dancers, a DJ, and African drums with dancing.
At 3:00 pm, activities at Mill River Park will formally begin. This will entail games and opportunities for children, an arts and history exhibit, a spades and cornhole tournament, a giant line dance, live music, and food.
Event sponsors include 100 Black Men of Stamford, Inc.; the City of Stamford; Custom Sign Solutions; Mack Events Production Company; Mill River Park; Stamford Downtown, Stamford Health; The Cultured Pearl Foundation, Inc; Union Baptist Church; and Wells Fargo Advisors.
To learn more about Juneteenth and its origins, visit the National Museum of African American History and Culture’s website here. Additional event details can be found on the organizers’ website here.
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