West Rehoboth Juneteenth vendor applications due June 10
The West Rehoboth Legacy Committee will host a community-wide Juneteenth celebration from 5 to 9 p.m., Wednesday, June 19, rain or shine, at the West Side New Beginnings Community Center, West Rehoboth Legacy Mural and West Side Creative Market.
Local food trucks, entertainers and vendors who are Black, brown and African American will be at all three locations. Vendors may apply through Monday, June 10, at tinyurl.com/4hs8n3p2.
Organizers request that the vendors create artwork or handmade items, or represent a business that they own locally.
The event is free to the public. The West Rehoboth Legacy Committee is seeking monetary sponsorships totaling $2,500 from local businesses and individuals to help cover event costs. To learn more, potential sponsors may email westrehobothlegacy@gmail.com.
For more information, go to eventbrite and search West Rehoboth Juneteenth Celebration.
In efforts to preserve the history of West Rehoboth’s Black, brown, and African American inhabitants, the Developing Artist Collaboration commissioned a large historical mural in partnership with West Side New Beginnings Inc. Painted by nationally renowned artist Terrance Vann, who also has a long lineage of family roots in the community, the mural was dedicated in 2022 on the corner of Malloy Street and Central Avenue in West Rehoboth.
Since then, DAC has worked closely with West Side New Beginnings, volunteer community members and family members of West Rehoboth descendants to develop a mounted infographic that references historical information to accompany the mural.
The mural project has created momentum for celebrating the local community and providing education about its rich history. Leaders from both organizations agreed that these efforts should be continued by the West Rehoboth Legacy Committee, formed under the umbrella of West Side New Beginnings Inc.
“This project has allowed our organization [DAC] to learn so much about how to be an ally to a community of color. We did this project to amplify the voices of the community and ensure that the history of West Rehoboth would not be forgotten. We are proud to continue maintaining the mural but are excited to hand over the project’s efforts to our incredible partner, West Side New Beginnings Inc. DAC will remain an ally, participate on the West Rehoboth Legacy Committee, and be a strong supporter of all efforts to support this community,” said Leah Beach, DAC founder.
The West Rehoboth Legacy Committee, a part of West Side New Beginnings Inc., is dedicated to educating the general public about and celebrating the history of the Rehoboth Beach area’s Black, brown and African American people. West Side New Beginnings Inc.’s mission is to establish a cohesive network to address the needs and concerns of the community as they relate to alcohol, tobacco and other drugs; self-esteem; housing; education; nutrition; and community service.
