The City of Boynton Beach is celebrating Haitian Heritage Month throughout May with the raising of the Haitian flag at City Hall and two free art and performance events for the entire family. At the May 16, 2023 City Commission meeting, the City will proclaim May 18, 2023 as Haitian Flag Day and the month of May as Haitian Heritage Month.
To honor local Haitian Americans, a Haitian Flag Raising Ceremony will be held at 7:45 AM on Thursday, May 18 at Boynton Beach City Hall Flag Plaza (100 E. Ocean Ave.). Palm Beach County Commissioner Mack Bernard, City Commissioner Woodrow L. Hay and others will provide remarks, followed by the singing of both the Haitian and American national anthems.
Later that afternoon, the family-friendly Haitian Cultural Celebration will be held from 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm at the Boynton Beach Arts & Cultural Center (125 E. Ocean Ave.). The event will feature a BoyntonArts art exhibition and a variety of performances by local musicians and dancers including the Plumosa School of the Arts band and dancers, Haitian drummers, Vivi, Tiffani Leblanc, DJ Moonray and fashion by GLAVIDIA. Visitors will also enjoy a solo exhibition of 17 paintings by contemporary artist Turgo Bastien and traditional Haitian artists Jean Claude LeGagneur and Alexandra Barbot. The art exhibitions can be seen from 10 am to 8 pm, Monday - Friday through June 23, 2023.
“The City is pleased to celebrate the culture of so many Haitian Americans in Boynton Beach,” said Glenn Weiss, the City’s Public Arts Manager.
The community is also invited to celebrate on May 27 from 2-6 pm at Sara Sims Park for a Haitian Heritage Celebration, hosted by Pathways to Property and Bridges at Boynton Beach, with performances in the amphitheater with a mural by Haitian American Tracy Guiteau.
ADA accommodations can be requested by calling 561-742-6026 or Florida Relay 711.
For more information, contact Glenn Weiss, Public Arts Manager, at 561-742-6026 or email weissg@bbfl.us.