Hartford/Lebanon’s 4th Juneteenth Celebration will be held at Lyman Point Park
This year’s Celebration will mark the first time both Upper Valley towns of Hartford and Lebanon will collaborate to hold a single Juneteenth Celebration.
From the press release:
“Juneteenth is a chance to gather with our two Upper Valley communities, celebrate our diversity, and remember our history,” said Hartford town treasurer and host Joe Major. “We reaffirm that we are stronger as a region because of our diversity. This year’s Juneteenth activities are designed to engage and educate, as well as entertain, because this holiday is a reminder that we cannot take freedom for granted. We look to the future with great hope and with a renewed commitment to pursuing justice. I urge our residents, and visitors, to join us for this year’s Juneteenth celebration and spend time learning more about this important national holiday.”
The event will focus on family, history and education. There will be a number of children’s activities and speakers featured. This year’s theme is “Journey to Freedom,” and will memorialize the struggle, celebrate the successes, and secure justice and equality through education, art, dance, music.
The Hartford Committee on Racial Equity and Inclusion along with support from the City of Lebanon, Alice Peck Day Hospital and the Hartford Parks and Recreation Department have come together to commemorate the 158th anniversary of the events of June 19, 1865. On that day, Union General Gordon Granger and 2,000 federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas to take possession of the state and enforce the emancipation of its enslaved persons. The event today is known as Juneteenth and is celebrated widely across the United States.
Juneteenth programming will include remarks by Vermont state representative Kevin “Coach” Christy, the Executive Director of the Vermont Office of Racial Equity, Xusana Davis, and chair of the equity committee for the Vermont League of Cities and Town and Winooski city manager, Elaine Wang, among others. Both Hartford and Lebanon school systems will be represented with presentations from the two districts. Children’s activities will be offered all day. DJ Sean from Livemix Kings will be playing the tunes for the event. Food and other vendors will be on site for the celebration. The event will be televised by Junction Arts and Media.
“This is an opportunity for all of the Upper Valley to come together and commemorate the true end of slavery in this country. The event will be family friendly with educational opportunities and inspirational presentations from individuals in our communities,” said Co-Event Organizer and DEI Coordinator for Alice Peck Day Memorial Hospital Alisha Robinson. “This is a must attend program for every community member, that will provide opportunity for increased knowledge, allyship and provide increased visibility and recognition of Juneteenth.”
