Vermont Business Magazine Burlington Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak announces the City of Burlington will once again host a celebration of culture, history, and community for Juneteenth. This year’s Juneteenth festivities are presented by the City of Burlington’s Office of Racial, Equity Inclusion & Belonging (REIB) and Northfield Savings Bank, and will take place on Saturday, June 15th from 11 am to 11 pm.
The celebration will showcase various arts and cultural expressions for every Burlingtonian to enjoy. The unforgettable day-long event is free and open to all, and promises 12 hours of nonstop entertainment featuring over 50 performers across multiple iconic locations in Burlington's vibrant downtown.
“I am so proud to announce our city's joyous celebration of Juneteenth, by coming together to celebrate freedom, honor the struggles and triumphs of those who came before, and reaffirm our commitment to fostering an inclusive and equitable community.” said Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak.
The Mayor continued, saying “This year's festivities will bring Burlingtonians together to reflect on our shared past, learn from one another, build lasting relationships, and celebrate Black culture, while acknowledging the continuous journey toward a more equitable community. Join us in the heart of Burlington as we embrace the spirit of Juneteenth with music, art, education, and camaraderie.”
“We are incredibly proud that the REIB Juneteenth celebrations continue to catalyze BIPOC businesses, organizations, musicians, thinkers, and creatives to get started and share their offerings with Burlington. This event highlights up-and-coming artists, businesses, and young people and plays a crucial role in our community's economic development. It brings together a diverse range of talent and allows others to experience those who may not have had the opportunity”, shared REIB Interim Director, Phet Keomanyvanh
The Juneteenth celebration will take place across multiple locations, including City Hall Park, Contois Auditorium, Burlington City Arts, Lower Church Street, and Amy E. Tarrant Gallery. This diverse range of venues will provide a dynamic backdrop for the celebration, showcasing the rich cultural tapestry of our community. The city expects over 1,500 attendees.
Vermonters and visitors alike are invited to Burlington on June 15th to come together to commemorate Juneteenth and embrace the values of racial equity, social justice, and community.
Attendees will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in a variety of engaging activities and experiences, including:
• Gospel Brunch: Join us for a soulful gospel brunch experience that will uplift your spirit and celebrate unity. Be inspired as we welcome Reverend Rene' Chandler from the New Alpha Missionary Baptist Church—the sole Black Church in the state of Vermont. Their insightful words will touch your heart and shed light on the significance of Juneteenth while honoring the enduring power of gospel music in our collective journey toward freedom and equality, all backed by the Juneteenth Community Choir led by Musical Director Dexter Criss.
• Music: Enjoy live musical performances spanning various genres from the area's most talented artists, all leading up to a solo performance from Maari of 99 Neighbors fame and an electrifying vocal performance by Craig Mitchell & friends.
• Poetry: Hosted by Rajnii Eddins, get captivated by the power of the spoken word and poetry, with performances celebrating self-expression's beauty and speaking truth to power.
• Comedy: Hosted by Marlon Fisher, get prepared to laugh out loud as local comedians remind us that laughing is food for the soul.
• Community Conversations: Engage in three thought-provoking panels addressing critical issues affecting marginalized communities. From discussing the historical misuse of the Equal Protection Clause and proposed constitutional amendments to tackling the racial homeownership gap and providing solutions, to shedding light on the mental health challenges faced by Black youth and advocating for change, these panels aim to inform, empower, and mobilize attendees towards creating a more equitable society.
- Visual Art: Join ArtsSoWonderful to create an ever-lasting Mural celebrating Juneteenth on Ake's Place at the City of Burlington Juneteenth event. All supplies will be provided.
- Food & Beverages: The Juneteenth Supper Club The Juneteenth Supper Club is an integral part of our evening celebration, where we bring the community together for a shared meal in the heart of City Hall Park. From 5:00pm pm to 7:00 pm. This unique dining experience will be surrounded by other food, beverage, and dessert vendors in the enclosed area, allowing us to create a vibrant atmosphere. This is free to the public and not ticketed.
- Wellness Workshop: Join Hope Elliott for a moment of Yoga and intentional stillness. An affirmation wall will be provided for us to notate all that we are. Let’s reconnect with, and care for, ourselves by embarking on this journey of wellbeing together.
- Family Fun: Welcome to the Adventure Playground, where the spirit of excitement thrives, and joy knows no bounds. This vibrant space is dedicated to igniting fun, laughter, and limitless joy for young people of all ages and their families.
• BTV Market: As part of our commitment to uplifting Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) vendors, we have partnered with the BCA to prioritize BIPOC artisans, organizations and food and beverage vendors where possible.
Juneteenth is the oldest American holiday celebrating Black Americans descended from the formerly enslaved.
Known as Emancipation Day, Freedom Day, and Jubilee Day, it has been celebrated by Black Americans since the late 1800s. The holiday commemorates June 19, 1865, when Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced the end of slavery, two and a half years after the
Emancipation Proclamation was issued. In 1980, Texas became the first state to recognize Juneteenth as an official state holiday. In 2021, it was officially recognized as a U.S. federal holiday and in 2022 it became an official municipal holiday, it is commemorated through various events across Burlington, Vermont, and the country.
For more information and a detailed schedule of events, please visit www.btvjuneteenth.com.
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