Botetourt County citizens are invited to celebrate “Juneteenth Freedom Jubilee 2026” during the weekend of Friday, June 19 and Saturday, June 20. Officially known as Juneteenth National Independence Day, the federal holiday is observed on June 19 to pay tribute to the end of slavery in the United States.
The past few years, the Historic Greenfield Advisory Council (HGAC) of Botetourt County joined by the County-Wide League has held a one-day event. The 2025 event locations were “attendee packed” as a result a larger space needed to be found in anticipation of even more participants in 2026.
Renamed the “2026 Juneteenth Freedom Jubilee,” the celebration not only expands to added room but offers two days of fun and educational activities for all ages. Its purpose is to “…provide an opportunity to raise awareness, honor and celebrate the count’s Black American history, some with ancestral ties to those who were enslaved and lived in slave dwellings at Greenfield Plantation; and to publicize the historical significance of Greenfield’s historic slave quarters and their future restoration efforts.”
Highlighting the weekend festivity is Joseph McGill Jr., guest speaker, who returns after visiting the county 10 years ago. He kicks off the holiday Friday, June 19 with “A Campfire Conversation” held at the Botetourt County Administration Center, outside under the trees, weather-permitting; and, if not, inside on the Lower Level. Founder and Executive Director of “The Slave Dwelling Project,” McGill has slept in approximately 250 slave dwelling sites in 25 states and in The District of Columbia since 2010. He has brought national attention to the need to preserve historic slave structures and to the history of the resilient people who lived in them.
A first-ever “Run to Freedom” 5K Race will occur Saturday morning 6/20 at the Botetourt County Sports Complex. On Saturday afternoon, participants can return to the county Administration Center for a series of presentations, including McGill’s “Sleeping with the Ancestors.” Other topics include “William Preston’s Greenfield Plantation,” an informative, inspiring video about the history of the plantation and its historic assets, and a brief talk on plans for restoring Greenfield’s historic kitchen and upper slave dwelling, Local music entertainment and a Barbecue Dinner at the Administration Center will conclude the weekend celebration.
All festivities are FREE and open to the public. Registration is required. The Campfire Conversation has a limited attendance of 35, and due to Fire Codes, the Saturday afternoon series of presentations, music entertainment, and barbecue dinner have an attendance capacity of 100. There is no participation limit for the 5K “Run to Freedom” Race. Further details about the weekend and Registration Forms can be accessed, completed, and returned at www.HistoricGreenfield.org.
Event volunteers encourage potential participants to not wait and get their Registration Form(s) in soon for the Campfire Conversation (35 limit) and the Saturday afternoon presentations (100 limit)! Online Registration Forms for the 5K “Run to Freedom” Race must be submitted by Friday, June12.
For more details and Registration Forms, go to www.HistoricGreenfield.org. Questions can be emailed to [email protected].
