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TRYON—More than 250 people gathered at Roseland Community Center on Saturday, June 21, for the 2025 Juneteenth Celebration. Despite the heat, attendees enjoyed food trucks, water slides, cornhole, music from the outstanding gospel group Changed and DJ Eric Washington, African Drumming and Dance, line dancing, a cakewalk, resource and merch vendors, and just visiting with each other. 

Inside, the exhibits were a hit again this year. A corner developed by RISE! participants on “What Juneteenth Means to Me ” was featured, along with an art display featuring local artists Lena Jackson, Savion Holland, Brandon Littlejohn, and the late Julia B. Miller. New posters of Eastside people and places were also displayed, as was the latest version of a digital photographic presentation of Tryon’s Eastside that Dr. Joseph Fox is developing. 

All agreed that the theme “Let’s Do it Again” was more than appropriate, as plans are already being made for next year’s celebration. 

Juneteenth at Roseland was made possible by a generous grant from the Mary F. Kessler Fund at the Polk County Community Foundation, and contributions from the Garrison Chapel Baptist Church and several individuals.

 

Submitted by Dr. Warren Carson