285th Anniversary Negro Election Day
Parade
2025 Theme: “Freedom: From our Roots to our Legacy”
Time: 11:30 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. (EST)
Line Up for Parade
Shetland Park
32 Congress Street, Salem. MA
(*Note: Will have transportation to Parade start and back)
Time: 12:00 p.m. (EST)
Parade – streamed live on NBC
1. Parade Start:
Shetland Park, 32 Congress Street, Salem. MA
Line up between 11:00 a.m. and 11:45 a.m.
Parade opens at 12:00 with singer and African dancers.
2. Ribbon Cutting and announcement of parade start
3. Parade Route
Parade begins at Shetland Park
Turns onto Congress Street
Turn onto Derby
turns on to Memorial Drive
(There will be a waiter pause
Goes Down Memorial drive
turn into Restaurant Row.
Down Restaurant Row
around to the Fort Ave
Up Forte Ave
Stop at the Corner of Fort Ave and Winter Island
3. Parade End:
Salem Willows Park 165 Fort Avenue, Salem. MA
Parade closes at 1:30 with Salem United, Inc. float.
Coner of Restaurant Row and Fort Avenue
Coming soon - will announce our 2025 Line Up - Application to participate below. Application not complete until parade agreement is signed:
Date: July 19, 2025
Salem United is celebrating Negro Elections Day's anniversary year on July 19, 2025. In honor of the possibility of having our first woman and black woman president, we will honor the significance of the Black Vote.
These enslaved Africans established this democratic voting system during a time when Massachusetts and the other colonies we under British rule to transform into today's voting system.
As well, these men served in our wars, even while enslaved.
Salem United will be honoring all those who fought for freedoms. from 1693 to oour present day election.
PARADE PARTICIPATION
We would love to have you in our anniversary parade, helping us make this the most celebrated year. Please join us by filling out the form below. We are welcoming floats and more. Application process will be closing online on March 1, 2025. After March there will be a fee $50.00 fee to participate.
2025 LIST OF DIGNITARIES AND HONOREES
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TBA
2025 negro election black kings and governors
Re-enactors:
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Black King Pompey, First Black King
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Black King Dick
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Black King Nero
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Black King Joe
PARADE COMMITEE
Eluid Alcala
John Burke, Captain
Doreen Wade
FLOAT COMMITEE
Joshua Gerloff
Anna Whitted
Thanks to our media sponsor
Why Negro Election Day Parade Was An Important Part Of The Festival!
Negro Election Day’s parade dates back as far as the last Wednesday of May,1693. It began with a collaboration with the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company, on the Boston Common. This parade allowed enslaved Africans, Freeman, Anglo's and Natives a chance to celebrate the holiday together. The collaboration ended in1812. The Black Kings/Governors began to combine Election Day with the celebration that eventually moved to Salem Willows Park.
The parade in 1740's became a part of the festival's coronation. The King would parade through town on a horse, with aides on each side. Others marched on each side of horse, while playing fifes, fiddles, drums, and horns.
This was the way to introduce the newly elected King/Governor to the people.