3-day holiday weekend of series of events that celebrates African American arts and culture. Film screenings, speakers and events. 2023 theme of Free as the Wind, celebrating escapes from enslavement in America on the high seas. Amistad schooner will be anchored in VH harbor.
The schooner Amistad, a replica of the historic ship that became famous after a group of enslaved Africans led a successful revolt and won their freedom in the U.S. Supreme Court, will drop anchor at Martha’s Vineyard for Juneteenth weekend. The Amistad’s arrival on Friday, June 16 will kick off a packed, three-day holiday weekend of speakers and events with the theme of Free as the Wind, celebrating escapes from enslavement in America on the high seas. Below is a chronological listing of the weekend’s events as scheduled by Vineyard Gazette Media Group
Friday, 6/16
12:00 PM (approx.) Amistad arrives in Vineyard Haven
5:00 – 8:00 PM Inkwell Haven event at Union Chapel Oak Bluffs
6:00 – 8:30 PM Vineyard Gazette Media Group Opening Reception, Vineyard Haven, Amistad at the dock, tented area adjacent.
Saturday, 6/17
10:00am – 2:00pm & 5:00pm to Dusk - Amistad Weekend Public Tours (Free)
10:00am – 11:30am VGMG presents Sailing to Freedom Panel at MV Museum with Author/historian Dr. Timothy Walker, President New Bedford Historical Society, Dr. Lee Blake and Bow Van Riper, Librarian & Historian MV Museum. Sponsors Vineyard Wind, HistoryMakers, Toyota, Cape Cod Five, MV Chamber of Commerce. Moderator Shelley Stewart, MV Museum Board member
11:00am - 9:00pm Inkwell Haven Events at the Tabernacle, Oak Bluffs
2:00pm – VGMG local Sponsored tour/reception Amistad
2:00pm (TBD) – screening of the Spielberg movie Amistad @ MV Film Center; TBD, interview/reception honoring Bill Pinkney, venue TBD
4:00pm – VGMG local Sponsored tour/reception Amistad
Sunday, 6/18
10:00am – 4:00pm - Amistad Weekend Public Tours (Free)
10:00am – 11:00am, Inkwell Haven event; Union Chapel Service with Rev. Michael Eric Dyson
11:00am - 4pm, other Inkwell Haven Events in Oak Bluffs
6:00pm (Approx.) - MV NAACP sponsored Taste of Juneteenth at the PA Club Oak Bluffs
Dusk (TBD) Amistad leaves Vineyard Haven for Edgartown
Monday, 6/19
10:00 – VGMG Gospel Brunch featuring singer Athene Wilson and honoring Bill Pinkney; Amistad and Shenandoah to be docked alongside. Sponsors Vineyard Wind, HistoryMakers, Toyota & Cape Cod Five. Invited guests pay a $125.00 fee.
Amistad departs Monday or Tuesday (TBD)