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Vermont State Sen. Joe Major, D-Hartford, left, hugs the Rev. Leon Dunkley of the North Universalist Chapel Society in Woodstock, Vt., while welcoming him to the podium during a Juneteenth Celebration at Lyman Point Park in White River Junction, Vt., on Saturday, June 21, 2025. “Black history is American history,” Major said in his welcoming address. “It belongs in every classroom, every town and every heart in this country.” (Valley News – Alex Driehaus) -
Deshon Sinclair, left, and Adrian Layne, both of Quechee, Vt., write bios for themselves to be read before they deliver speeches during a Juneteenth Celebration at Lyman Point Park in White River Junction, Vt., on Saturday, June 21, 2025. Layne used his speech to question the concept of greatness and the historical figures who have been called great despite their exploitation of others. “The criteria itself for greatness is broken,” he said, noting that those who are exploited should be considered great for the resilience they show in the face of their treatment. (Valley News – Alex Driehaus) -
Arwen Northern, of Norwich, Vt., looks through a children’s book about Juneteenth at a table of books curated by The Norwich Bookstore during a Juneteenth Celebration at Lyman Point Park in White River Junction, Vt., on Saturday, June 21, 2025. The collection featured books about Juneteenth and books by black authors. (Valley News – Alex Driehaus) -
Arantza Peña Popo, of White River Junction, Vt., right, reacts as Faith McLauren, 7, of Wilder, Vt., admires her new face paint during a Juneteenth Celebration at Lyman Point Park in White River Junction, Vt., on Saturday, June 21, 2025. (Valley News – Alex Driehaus)
WHITE RIVER JUNCTION — Vermont State Sen. Joe Major, D-Hartford, hugged the Rev. Leon Dunkley of the North Universalist Chapel Society in Woodstock, while welcoming him to the podium during a Juneteenth Celebration at Lyman Point Park on Saturday.
“Black history is American history,” Major said in his welcoming address. “It belongs in every classroom, every town and every heart in this country.”
Saturday’s event in White River Junction was coordinated by community members from Hartford, Lebanon and Bethel. In addition to the speakers, the event included free food, music and kids’ activities.