The Shadow
CLIFTON FORGE — Community members gathered Friday evening at Washington Park for the Our Stories, Our Voices Juneteenth Celebration, an event that featured music, speakers, vendors and a reflection on history.
The program opened with a presentation on the history of the flag and a proclamation recognizing Juneteenth. The Boy Scouts then conducted a flag-raising ceremony.
Entertainment was provided by the Resurrecting Praise Choir, which performed two selections, and the Soul Rhythm Soul Dancers, who drew enthusiastic applause from the crowd.
Guest speaker Gilbert Davis shared his experience joining the military and how it helped shape his life. Davis spoke about the opportunities military service provided and his appreciation for the United States.
Lillie Hughes offered a personal account of growing up during segregation. Hughes recalled attending school with outdated textbooks, often receiving books with pages missing because they had previously been used by white students.
She also described daily challenges she faced, including being expected to step off the sidewalk and walk in the street when encountering white individuals.
Clifton Forge Mayor Jeff Irvine closed the program by thanking attendees, volunteers and organizers for their support of the event.
Several vendors and community organizations were on hand throughout the evening, including the Happy Hippy Camp Store and local resource providers.
The celebration brought residents together to honor Juneteenth while sharing stories, history and culture with the community.
