The Juneteenth Celebration Committee, in partnership with the Gloucester and Mathews branches of the NAACP, and The Gloucester Institute, invite the community to join the 2025 Juneteenth Celebration from 1-6 p.m. today, Thursday, June 19, at Holly Knoll, 3201 Leadership Drive, Gloucester.

This free community event promises a day filled with music, food, artisan vendors, children’s activities, fashion show, car show and more—all designed to honor the legacy of freedom and resilience, a release stated.

Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, commemorates June 19, 1865, the day when enslaved individuals in Galveston, Texas, learned of their freedom—more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. This historic day marks the true end of slavery in the United States and serves as a reminder of the ongoing pursuit of justice, equality, and empowerment for Black communities, according to the release.

The day’s festivities will commence at 9 a.m. with the Opal Lee Walk, starting at Gloucester Main Street Library, following in the footsteps of Lee, the renowned “Grandmother of Juneteenth,” whose advocacy helped cement Juneteenth as a federally recognized holiday.

The event’s highlight will feature a keynote address by Devon M. Henry, founder and CEO of Team Henry Enterprises, known for his pivotal role in the removal of the Confederate statues in Richmond. He will provide insights into leadership, history and empowerment.

“We are excited to bring together friends, families, and leaders for a day of celebration, remembrance, and unity,” said Brenda Dixon, chair of the Juneteenth Celebration Committee. “Juneteenth marks a pivotal moment in history, and through this event, we honor the past while embracing a future of progress and inclusion.”

The community is encouraged to attend, participate, and enjoy in this uplifting celebration of freedom, the release stated.

For more information, contact the Juneteenth Celebration Committee at 804-651-4736.