Sweltering heat marked Saturday’s Juneteenth celebration in Gloucester, but it deterred neither the enthusiastic group of speakers who came to deliver a message nor the audience members who gathered at First Baptist Church to hear what those speakers had to say.

PHOTO COURTESY CIRCLEUP MIDDLE PENINSULAGloucester historian Dr. Wesley Wilson was the keynote speaker for the 2021 Juneteenth celebration, held on Saturday at First Baptist Church.

The Rev. E.R. Graham presided over the event, which was sponsored by the Gloucester Union Relief Association, the Woodville Rosenwald School Foundation, and CircleUp Middle Peninsula. Graham emphasized that it was the first time Juneteenth was being celebrated as a national holiday.

“It’s an indication that we should continue to press on, press on, press on,” he said.

With devotions by the Rev. Vincent Pryor, the day included inspirational music by the Gloucester/Mathews Male Chorus, refreshments by the youth of First Baptist, and a COV...