Tazewell Va.’s Juneteenth events return for sixth year, with former resident as keynote speaker

TAZEWELL, Va. (WVVA) -On Saturday, members of the Tazewell community got together for an annual celebration of the end of slavery, known as Juneteenth.

Tazewell has held a Juneteenth celebration for six years, three years before it became a national holiday. That celebration returned this year with music, poetry, and a retelling of the history of emancipation.

There was even a Harriet Tubman impersonator who told stories about helping runaway slaves. One organizer tells us that this event helps honor those who lived through this history and teach the younger generation about the past.

Speaking at this event was Larry Rogers, the first black mayor of Harrisonburg Virginia and a former Tazewell resident. He says it was great to be back in his hometown and see the unity that exists in this community.

“This is a community that sticks together, regardless of the color and etcetera, so it’s been very, very important…” says Rogers, “…We’re just humans here to be supportive of each other. That’s our jobs, is to love others, to be love.”

Following the Juneteenth presentation, they held a “Freedom Walk” to where the Warhawk park will be located.

The celebration continues Sunday at the Tazewell County Fairgrounds at t10:45 am for a Juneteenth worship service.