Irvington To Celebrate Juneteenth At Villa Lewaro And Honor An Icon

IRVINGTON, NY — One of the Hudson Valley's most inspiring and fascinating residents will be honored at Juneteenth celebrations with her name not just in the history books, but on the map as well.

The Village of Irvington announced that it will be holding the 5th Annual Juneteenth celebration, planned by the Irvington Juneteenth Committee and Commemorate Inc.

The event will be held at Villa Lewaro, located at 67 North Broadway, on Saturday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Madame C.J. Walker (1867-1919) was the first self-made African American millionairess and a philanthropist. She purchased Villa Lewaro in 1917.

The day will include a celebration of the legacy of Madam C.J. Walker and an honorary naming of Madam C.J. Walker Way. There will be music, guided walkthrough tours of Villa Lewaro and a keynote by A’Lelia Bundles, the great-great granddaughter of Madam C.J. Walker, among other activities.

Schedule:

• 1 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.: Family-friendly music and dancing with VYBE4. Food and drinks will be available for purchase from Pik Nik Barbecue of Tarrytown. Bring a lawn blanket or chairs and enjoy the grounds. No outside food permitted.
• 2:15 p.m. - 3 p.m.: The History Twins will present The History of African-American Music
  with performance and interpretation exploring the journey of African-American music, tracing its roots from the rhythms of slave hollers and work songs, blossoming into jazz, rock & roll, R&B, and hip hop. Music from Madame C.J. Walker’s lifetime will be highlighted. Carla and Jim Keyes, known and "Carla & Keyes" are a married performing duo based in Yorktown Heights. Collectively, they have performed hundreds of concerts and educational programs for schools, spiritual centers, and community events over thirty years.
• 3 p.m. - 4 p.m.: Keynote address by A'Lelia Bundles, author, journalist and great-great-granddaughter of Madam C.J. Walker, followed by other distinguished guest speakers. The Village of Irvington will hold a ceremony to honor the naming of Madam C.J. Walker Way.
• 4 p.m. - 5 p.m.: More family-friendly music and dancing with VYBE4. Food and drinks will be available for purchase from Pik Nik Barbecue of Tarrytown. Bring a lawn blanket or chairs and enjoy the grounds. No outside food permitted.

Find more information, and get free tickets here.

There will be no parking on the grounds of Villa Lewaro or on the surrounding streets. Free parking will be available at St. Barnabas Church (15 North Broadway), Irvington Presbyterian Church (25 North Broadway) and the Main Street School (101 Main Street). Villa Lewaro is located just a short walk up Broadway or the Old Croton Aqueduct from each of these parking locations.

SEE ALSO:

• Madam C. J. Walker: The First Black Female Millionaire
• Historic Rivertowns House No Longer for Sale