This year is the 160th anniversary of the day that came to be known as Juneteenth. It was in 1865 when a group of enslaved Black people in Texas finally learned that they had been emancipated, two full years after Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation.
The day that truly ended slavery in America has since become a day to honor and celebrate Black culture. The official holiday is June 19, but Juneteenth celebrations are happening in Chittenden County and elsewhere in Vermont in the days before and after. Here are some of the events marking the day that became an official holiday in 2021. (All events are free unless otherwise indicated.)
Burlington
2-10 p.m. Saturday, June 21, Vermont’s largest city spreads its Juneteenth celebration over eight hours and three locations – City Hall Park, the Church Street Marketplace and Contois Auditorium. Performers include A2VT, Jenni Johnson, Rajnii Eddins, Mikahely, Obi the Voicegod, DJ Melo Grant, Nadia Comba and more. Local Black-owned food vendors will serve free meals from 5:30-6:30 p.m. with food available for purchase until 10 p.m. The day also features an artist and maker market and award ceremony honoring community leaders.
“As threats against equity and inclusion initiatives continue to rise across the nation, this event serves as a crucial reminder of the ongoing struggles and achievements in the fight for racial justice,” Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak is quoted as saying in a news release about Juneteenth.
South Burlington
The city’s ongoing Juneteenth celebrations this month include:
- 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 17, a reading by isaiah a. hines from their second book of poetry, “Anything with Spirit,” South Burlington Public Library.
- 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 18, Jeh Kulu Dance and Drum Theater presents a dance workshop with live drumming, Veterans Memorial Park.
- 1-2:30 p.m. Thursday, June 19, the holiday celebration begins with a chance for kids to make Juneteenth bracelets, South Burlington Public Library; other activities include, at a time to be announced, a three-on-three basketball tournament, Veterans Memorial Park ($5 to sign up as an individual to be placed on a team, $15 for a team of three); and from 5-8 p.m., a Juneteenth celebration featuring food, a craft fair and performances by Jenni Johnson & the Junketeers and Jeh Kulu, Veterans Memorial Park.
- 11 a.m. Saturday, June 21, “The 6th Generation: Black Southerner Memories & Migrations” by Jolivette Anderson and Nadia Douoning presents spoken-word and musical tributes in honor of Juneteenth, South Burlington Public Library.
- 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 24, Rev. Mark Hughes presents a program titled “Juneteenth 2025: Beyond Celebration, Toward Justice,” South Burlington Public Library.
- 6 p.m. Thursday, June 26, a book-group discussion focuses on “The Office of Historical Corrections,” a collection of short stories by Danielle Evans focusing on Black and multiracial characters, South Burlington Public Library.
- www.southburlington.gov/664/Juneteenth
Winooski
5-8 p.m. Friday, June 20, details are pending, but Winooski promises music and food for its Juneteenth celebration at Rotary Park. www.downtownwinooski.org
White River Junction
2-4 p.m. Saturday, June 21, the Upper Valley communities of Bethel and Hartford (as well as neighboring Lebanon, New Hampshire) unite for a Juneteenth celebration featuring live music, food, speeches and kids games and activities, Lyman Point Park, White River Junction. www.hartford-vt.org
Contact Brent Hallenbeck at bhallenbeck@freepressmedia.com.
Check out was real simple, can't wait for the tote bag