Botetourt County residents still have time to register for the 2026 Juneteenth Freedom Jubilee, a two-day celebration of Black American history, heritage and resilience scheduled for Friday and Saturday, June 19-20. The event is hosted by the Historic Greenfield Advisory Council in partnership with the County-Wide League and will feature history programs, music, storytelling, a community dinner, and the inaugural “Run to Freedom” 5K.
The weekend’s featured guest will be nationally recognized historian and preservationist Joseph McGill Jr., founder of the Slave Dwelling Project. McGill will return to Botetourt County for the first time in a decade to participate in multiple programs focused on history, preservation and storytelling.
Activities begin next Friday at 5 p.m. with a “Campfire Conversation” at the Botetourt County Administration Center in Daleville. Organizers describe the event as an opportunity for community members to gather in an informal setting to discuss history, preservation and the stories connected to Greenfield Plantation and its historic slave quarters.
Saturday’s schedule opens with the inaugural “Run to Freedom” 5K at the Botetourt Sports Complex before returning to the Administration Center for an afternoon of educational programming and entertainment. Events include McGill’s presentation, “Sleeping with the Ancestors,” a video presentation on William Preston’s Greenfield Plantation, updates on preservation efforts at Historic Greenfield, live music, and a community barbecue dinner.
Organizers say the Juneteenth Freedom Jubilee is intended to honor the county’s Black American history while supporting ongoing efforts to preserve and interpret Historic Greenfield and the stories of those who lived and labored there.
All events are free and open to the public, although registration is required and attendance is limited for some portions of the program. Organizers encourage residents to register as soon as possible. To register for the 5K visit www.botetourtva.gov/FormCenter/Historic-Greenfield-Preservation-Council-28/5K-Run-to-Freedom-Race-156.
Those interested in attending can find registration information, event details and donation opportunities at HistoricGreenfield.org or by contacting the Historic Greenfield Advisory Council.
~ Fincastle Herald staff report
