Henrico to host 2 days of Juneteenth events June 20-21
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Henrico County will hold its annual celebration of Juneteenth with two evenings of activities to commemorate the 160th anniversary of the end of slavery in the United States.
On Friday, June 20, the inaugural Juneteenth Jamboree will feature a community parade and football games at Varina High School, 7053 Messer Road.
On Saturday, June 21, the fifth-annual Juneteenth Celebration will return to Dorey Park in Varina, with expanded family-friendly activities and entertainment, including live go-go music and fireworks.
All events are open to the public and free to attend. The Juneteenth Celebration recently earned second place in the Outdoor Festival awards category in Style Weekly’s Best of Richmond 2025.
Friday, June 20: Juneteenth Jamboree
The community parade will begin at 5 p.m. at George F. Baker Elementary School, 6651 Willson Road, and proceed along Messer Road to Varina High School.
The parade will highlight 25 units representing local organizations and county agencies. At 6:30 p.m., teams from six of the county’s high schools – Varina, Highland Springs, J.R. Tucker, Glen Allen, Deep Run and Henrico – will square off in seven-on-seven football games. The games will be announced by Shawn Mears and include DJ entertainment and food trucks.
The Clear and Small Bag Procedures of Henrico County Public Schools will be in effect. Additionally, children and teens age 17 and younger must be accompanied by an adult 21 or older.
Saturday, June 21: Juneteenth Celebration
The Juneteenth Celebration, hosted by the Division of Recreation and Parks, will offer entertainment and activities from 4 to 10 p.m. at Dorey Park, 2999 Darbytown Road.
A kids’ zone, community stage with local talent and vendor fair that will feature 160 local businesses will be open from 4 p.m.to 8 p.m. In addition, 20 vendors will offer food and refreshments for purchase throughout the event.
This year’s event will include the Mobile Museum Experience, an interactive museum on wheels highlighting Virginia’s history ahead of next year’s 250th anniversary of the United States.
The Mobile Museum will be parked at Dorey Park throughout the weekend and open to visitors from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, June 20 and from 4 to 10 p.m. Saturday, June 21.
For a full list of Civic Season programs, visit henrico.gov/rec/history/civic-season-2025/.
Another highlight of the Juneteenth Celebration event will be the go-go music on the main stage. Go-go is a regional musical style that is deeply rooted in the Black community and symbolizes resilience and unity. From its origins in Washington, go-go has become a beloved genre across the mid-Atlantic, including Henrico.
Beginning at 4 p.m., the event’s main stage will include performances by EU featuring Sugar Bear and the Chuck Brown Band. Wiley Brown will lead the band in tribute to his late father, who is known as the Godfather of Go-Go. Art of Noise, featuring DJ Lonnie B, will cap the music before a fireworks show beginning at 9:45 p.m.
For details about the Juneteenth Celebration, including tips about what to bring and directions for entering the park, visit henrico.gov/calendar/juneteenth/.
