Front Royal Gathers for Second Annual Juneteenth Celebration at the Gazebo

Under clear skies and the sounds of community and celebration, residents gathered at the town gazebo Saturday for the second annual Juneteenth celebration hosted by the Warren-Page Branch of the NAACP. The event brought together leaders, artists, families, and neighbors to honor the emancipation of enslaved African Americans and to reflect on the continued pursuit of freedom and justice in America.

Gene Kilby, president of the local NAACP branch, opened the event with a warm welcome and expressed hope that the crowd would grow throughout the day. “I truly appreciate the crowd that we have so far,” Kilby said. “And I know that we’re gonna get a lot more people out today.”

Gene Kilby starts the second annual local Juneteenth celebration, introducing event Master of Ceremonies Rev. Dr. Olric R. Wilkins. Below, Rev. Wilkins addresses the importance of the Juneteenth celebration to people of all races seeking democratic unity of purpose before introducing Opening Prayer offerer Brevetta Jordan.

Back “by popular demand,” Kilby introduced the day’s master of ceremonies, Dr. Orick Wilkins, a decorated Navy chaplain and theologian who led the event with both energy and reverence. Wilkins opened with a rendition of God Bless America, encouraging the crowd to sing along in appreciation for the freedoms the day represents.

The prayer that followed, delivered by Reverend Brevetta Jordan, was a heartfelt moment that drew attention to the deep spiritual and historical meaning of Juneteenth. “We thank you that we can celebrate freedom today, freedom from the bondage of slavery,” she prayed. “Let your truth prevail… this battle belongs to the Lord.”

Brevetta Jordan united the crowd in the Opening Prayer.

This year’s gold sponsor was Valley Health, with additional support from The River 95.3 (WZRV), Rappahannock Electric Cooperative, and The Royal Examiner.

Front Royal Town Councilman Glenn Wood and Warren County Supervisor Cheryl Cullers were introduced early in the event to welcome the crowd, out-of-town-based performers, and vendors to this Virginia town and county for the Juneteenth celebration of the nation’s move toward racial equality and unity.

Town Councilman Glenn Wood welcomed attendees on behalf of the mayor and town council. “Our chapter represents all citizens with compassion, dignity, respect, support, and understanding,” he said, encouraging everyone to visit the raffle table, which included items such as a country ham, baseball tickets, and African American fashion.

Cheryl Cullers, South River representative on the Warren County Board of Supervisors, also addressed the crowd, thanking organizers and emphasizing unity. “Together we can make positive changes for the future of this community,” she said. “We are better together.”

Rebecca Altizer, left, and Tanai Banks-Roy jointly offered a stirringly poetic piece titled “The Hill We Climb”.

A highlight of the celebration was a moving recitation of The Hill We Climb by Amanda Gorman, performed by Rebecca Altizer and Tanai Banks-Roy. The performance captured themes of resilience, hope, and a shared responsibility to shape a better future. “We will not march back to what was,” they recited. “But move to what shall be. A country that is bruised, but whole.”

A trio of women who were part of that first integrated WC Public School class in 1959 were honored. From left, they are Suetta Freeman, Ann Baltimore, and Joyce Banks.

The event continued with live music, vendors, and additional performances scheduled throughout the afternoon, celebrating not only the history of Juneteenth but also the strength and culture of the community.

As Kilby said during his welcome, the Front Royal Juneteenth celebration continues to grow—and with it, the message that progress is worth gathering for.

What Juneteenth Commemorates

Juneteenth, observed on June 19, marks the day in 1865 when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation—more than two years after it was first issued. Their arrival brought freedom to the last remaining enslaved people in the U.S., nearly 250,000 in Texas alone. Though slavery had effectively ended elsewhere following the Civil War, it persisted in Texas until General Gordon Granger read General Order No. 3, declaring all enslaved people free.

The following year, newly freed Texans began celebrating “Jubilee Day,” a tradition that spread across the country as Black Americans carried it with them. Juneteenth became a Texas state holiday in 1979, and in 2021, it was officially recognized as a federal holiday.

Alexandria-based “Mime Praise Dancer” Lauren Winger presented a sensational routine on the plight of humanity and the need to seek Divine guidance to what sounded like originally created, recorded musical accompaniment. Royal Examiner Still Photos Roger Bianchini, Video Mark Williams

Chicago native, singer-songwriter-guitarist Meisha Herron, who I believe we heard had relocated to the Shenandoah Valley, showcased her recognized talents with a number of Blues influenced songs crossing and mixing several musical genres. Encore, Meisha!!

Two perspectives on the Gazebo public speakers and performers area during the performance of singer-songwriter-guitarist Meisha Herron, one from in a sunny side of the park, one in the shade.

Hanging and sitting in the shade as temperatures approached 90 degrees in the early afternoon seemed a good idea for many with the threat of later afternoon thunderstorms looming.

This first booth features the base message of Juneteenth — “Bringing People Together to Heal the Wounds of Racism”. Below, the Warren Heritage Society, which chronicles Warren County’s history several blocks away up historic Chester Street from the Juneteenth Gazebo-anchored park site; and ‘Skip’ and Kathy Rogers of the Able Forces veterans assistance group also located not far northbound up Chester Street.