Clifton Forge Juneteenth Celebration Huge Success
| By Jennifer Bailey
Staff Writer | Clifton Forge, VA (June 19, 2025)— Juneteenth is more than just a date on the calendar— it's a powerful celebration of freedom, resilience, and community. This year, the town of Clifton Forge came together in a big way to enjoy a heartfelt Juneteenth celebration that honored the history and enduring spirit of African Americans. The event was held from 11 a.m.—4 p.m. today in Washington Park in Clifton Forge.
The buzzing crowd enjoyed speeches from the two main organizers, Lamona West and Lashonda Ochieng, as well as a few local government officials which included Clifton Forge Mayor, Jeff Irvine, and Clifton Forge Town Manager, Chuck Unroe. Local scout Isreal Washington shared a bit of history about Juneteenth and recent Alleghany High School graduate, E.J. Wright shared his own experiences about growing up in a town where not many people looked like him.
The moving celebration included a duo from Cora Dance performing a dance called "Rivers" which honored the memory of Jada Callender. Callender was a Clifton Forge resident known for her bright, sweet spirit and breathtaking photographs. Sadly, Ms. Callender passed just before Christmas last year, but her legacy continues on in the hearts of those who knew her.
Today's Juneteenth celebration —the day that marks the emancipation of the last enslaved American Americans in the United States— began at 11 a.m. today and included the singing of "Lift Every Voice and Sing" by the crowd, led by a choir of singers. "Lift Every Voice and Sing" is a hymn whose lyrics were written by former NAACP leader, James Weldon Johnson, to music composed by his brother, J. Rosamond Johnson. It has since been referred to as the "Black National Anthem," and includes powerful lyrics like, "Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us; Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us... Let us march on till victory is won."
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