Forward Madison FC will be celebrating Juneteenth this Saturday in a variety of ways as the Flamingos host the New England Revolution II at Breese Stevens Field.
Juneteenth, which takes place annually on June 19, commemorates June 19, 1865, a day when African-American slaves in Texas were told by Union forces that they were free. They were the final group of slaves to realize their freedom. The greater Madison community will celebrate Juneteenth 2021 with its annual Juneteenth parade and celebration at Penn Park on Saturday, June 19.
At Saturday’s home game, the Flamingos, currently in fourth place in USL League One, will celebrate Juneteenth with:
- Limited-Edition Scarf: Forward Madison is teaming up with the Featherstone Flamingos – a team supporters’ group that celebrates Black culture – to release a limited-run Juneteenth scarf later this week. Forward Madison will donate 100 percent of the proceeds from sales of the scarf to YWCA Madison.
- Lift Every Voice and Sing: Local opera singer Prenicia Clifton will perform both “The Star-Spangled Banner” and “Lift Every Voice and Sing” – colloquially known as the ‘Black national anthem’ in the United States – before the beginning of Saturday’s match.
- Black Star Drum Line: Madison’s Black Star Drum Line, which gives local youth the opportunity to creatively express themselves through percussive arts, will perform during pre-game ceremonies and at halftime.
- Poetry Performance: Local poet Matthew Charles, who released his debut book in 2020, will read a selection of poetry at halftime.
