Hartford Yard Goats to host annual celebration of Negro Leagues at Dunkin Park

Hartford Yard Goats

The Hartford Yard Goats Baseball Club will host its annual Celebration of the Negro Leagues on Wednesday, June 24th at Dunkin’ Park. The event, subtitled Homecoming, is scheduled in honor of Juneteenth and the history of the Negro Leagues. The day’s programming focuses on storytelling, community celebration, and recognizing the impact of Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

As part of the tribute, the Yard Goats will wear the Hartford Schoolboy uniforms. This specific attire honors the legacy of Johnny “Schoolboy” Taylor, a prominent Negro Leagues player. The celebration aims to recognize the contributions of these athletes alongside local pioneers.

The programming begins with a community block party from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the main plaza of Dunkin’ Park. The gathering serves as a tribute to Taylor, who turned down a Major League Baseball opportunity to honor his heritage. The block party features a live broadcast by radio station Hot 93.7, live musical performances, family activities, and a marketplace for local vendors and Black-owned businesses.

See the Message Center below for Connecticut’s top events in June – Celebrate Connecticut with our latest local merch, perfect for showing your state pride!

Attendees at the block party can also meet members of Taylor’s family, who will share personal stories and historical insights. Additionally, the plaza will feature informational tables dedicated to Historically Black Colleges and Universities, alongside recognition for alumni of those institutions.

Following the block party, a panel discussion titled Diamond Dialogs will take place on the baseball field at 6:30 p.m. The conversation features trailblazing leaders who are alumni of Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

The panel includes Susan Johnson, the Chief Culture Officer for The Hartford, and Greg Jones, the Vice President of Community Health and Engagement for Hartford HealthCare. Zillah Fluker, an ambassador for Historically Black Colleges and Universities and a community advisory board member, will moderate the discussion.

Don’t miss

• Performances of 1776 start this week at Ivoryton Playhouse
• Mohegan Sun brings back seasonal tiki bar pop-up experience for the summer
• Coaster Con brings hundreds of roller coaster fans to Lake Compounce

••••••• Message center – Connecticut savings and messages from our sponsors •••••••

June events at Fairfield Theatre Company

6/25 – Livingston Taylor 
6/26 – FTC’s 80’s Dance Party 
6/27 – Albert Cummings
6/28 – Midnight North

Click here for more information & order tickets. 

Connecticut Merch

Finding Connecticut’s patriotic merch celebrates state pride and American spirit, just in time for the lead-up to America 250. Featuring classic red, white, and blue style, the collection is a nod to where we’ve been and where we’re headed. As the nation prepares to mark 250 years in 2026, these pieces are an easy way to show pride in both Connecticut and the broader American story—past, present, and future.

Click here to shop

Your ad here

The Message Center on Finding Connecticut appears on every post across the site, giving your message maximum exposure to a statewide audience. Whether you’re promoting an event, business, product, or service, your message will be seen by thousands of engaged readers exploring Connecticut content every day. Placement runs monthly, making it an ideal option for consistent visibility without the need for daily management. With prominent positioning and a streamlined setup process, the Message Center offers an affordable, effective way to get your message in front of locals—right where they’re already paying attention. Reserve your spot today to get noticed. Click here for more information on Message Center ads. Click here for more advertising opportunities.

Gourmet Cookies

Indulge in Keksi gourmet cookies, featuring classic flavors such as chocolate chip and snickerdoodle, as well as new monthly creations. Made with the highest quality ingredients, each bite is a delicious treat. Perfect for any cookie lover! 

Save on CBD!

My name is Jillian, and I am the editor here at Finding Connecticut. When I came across New England Hemp Farm a few years ago, I had recently had my ankle fused. New England Hemp Farm’s Sports Relief Rub and 500 MG Full Spectrum CBD Oil have helped with everyday and weather pain. 

Finding quality products that can improve your day-to-day life can be tough, but with New England Hemp Farm, getting a good night’s sleep or relieving your pain and anxiety has never been easier. Plus, using our code Findingconnecticut35, you’ll save 35% on your first purchase. And don’t forget, returning customers can use code Findingconnecticut20 to save 20% on orders. Let us help you find relief and savings with New England Hemp Farm.

Products we use here at Finding Connecticut include Sports Relief Rub • 500 MG Full Spectrum CBD Oil • Pet Drops• Pet Treats

Let’s create with Victory Designs

Need help with your creative needs? Our team has 20+ years of experience with Adobe, Shopify, and WordPress, and we offer affordable graphic design and web services. Let Victory Designs assist you with bringing your ideas to life.

Connecticut business owners:
Are you a local business owner in Connecticut looking to boost your visibility and reach more customers? Look no further! Our platform provides a unique opportunity to showcase your business to an engaged audience of people who love and live in Connecticut. By partnering with us, you can reach potential customers who are actively seeking things to do, places to dine, and local merchants and service providers to support. Don’t miss out on this chance to grow your business and connect with the local community!

Connecticut with us! 

Stay informed with daily news directly in your inbox! Our service is completely free, and we guarantee your privacy – your email and information will never be shared, traded, or sold.

Stay connected with us on social media

Facebook • Instagram • Threads • Tiktok • X • Newsbreak • Bluesky
Join our Reddit community 

Share your Connecticut experiences with us by using #findingconnecticut on Instagram

Click here to return to Finding Connecticut’s home page

Don’t miss our reviews

Concert reviews • Restaurant reviews • Family restaurant reviews 

Looking for the latest news by region, topic, and events

Latest news by region

Fairfield County  Hartford County •  Litchfield County •  Middlesex County • New Haven County • New London County• Tolland County • Windham County 

Latest sports news by team

Hartford Wolf Pack • Hartford Yard Goats • Connecticut Sun • Norwich Sea Unicorns • 

2026 schedules

Hartford Wolf Pack • Hartford Yard Goats • Connecticut Sun • Norwich Sea Unicorns • Farmington Polo Club 

Events by region

Fairfield County • Hartford County • Litchfield County • New Haven County • New London County • Middlesex County • Tolland County • Windham County

Events by Interest

Art • Sports • Family Friendly • History • Concerts • Farmers’ Markets 

Events by the month

June 2026 • July 2026 • August 2026 • September 2026 • October 2026 • November 2026 • December 2026 

Events by venue

College Street Music Hall • Space Ballroom • Westville Music Bowl • District Music Hall • Fairfield Theatre Company •  Hartford Stage • The Bushnell • Goodspeed Opera House •  Mohegan Sun • Foxwoods • New York Comedy Club Stamford • Westport Country Playhouse • Goodspeed Opera House