May 16, 2023
Thom Carroll/For PhillyVoice
Philadelphia's first Juneteenth Wine and Arts Festival is coming to Cherry Street Pier on Saturday, June 17 with wine tastings, art exhibits and live performers.
A first-of-its-kind Juneteenth celebration is heading to Cherry Street Pier next month. Wine tastings, art exhibitions, live performances and celebrations of Black culture will coalesce at the Delaware River waterfront on Saturday, June 17 for the Juneteenth Wine & Arts Festival.
Hosted by the Women's Coalition for Empowerment, in partnership with the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation, the festival will be provide a family-friendly Juneteenth celebration and feature Black-owned wineries and other Black-owned businesses. Resident artists from Cherry Street Pier will sell art while DJs spin records in between live performances from local musicians. Hours are from 1–6 p.m.
The festival is free to attend and open to the public, though sign-ups are recommended for updates on event programming, weather and safety precautions. Those who want to participate in wine tastings can purchase a $15 ticket online or at the festival.
MORE: Philadelphia Polo Classic returns to Fairmount Park this fall
Black-owned wineries account for just 1% of all wineries in the United States, according to Shekhinah B., executive director of the Women's Coalition for Empowerment. Part of the organization's mission is to highlight Black and brown creatives who are not as visible in the region's arts and culture sectors.
Among the participating wineries is Cyrenity Sips, the region's first winery helmed by a Black woman. The Hatboro-based small batch winery is owned by Shakia Williams and offers red, white and flavored dessert wines in a variety of flavors like cotton candy, white chocolate, raspberry and cranberry. Other participating wineries include Mark & Val Wines, a York-based winery with fermented beverages in customized bottles, and BlacOak Wine Club, which highlights Black-owned wine brands.
The featured performer is Lady Alma, a Philly-based songstress and house musician who is known for her "Gimme That Music" virtual residency at World Cafe Live. Another performer slated to appear is Ashley Scott, a musician and entrepreneur who founded Philash Entertainment Group in 2000. More performers, artists, wineries and food vendors will be announced in the weeks leading up to the festival.
Lady Alma, a Philly-based house music artist, is a featured performer at the Juneteenth Wine and Arts Festival at Cherry Street Pier on June 17.
Saturday, June 17, 2023
1 to 6 p.m. | Free to the public, $15 for wine tastings
Cherry Street Pier
121 N. Christopher Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19106
