The 2025 Juneteenth Community Celebration, sponsored by Hendrick Medical of Brownwood, has come and gone. The four-day event saw close to 3,000 people attend various events. The celebration kicked off with a sold-out Soul Food luncheon; sponsored by Aldersgate Enrichment Center where many speakers educated, reminisced and entertained those in attendance about Juneteenth and Brownwood. Brownwood Mayor, Stephen Haynes also awarded a proclamation for honoree Pastor Ernest Kirk and the Juneteenth committee.

On Friday the celebration continued with a classic car downtown parade, where over 15 vehicles participated and a crowd of people lined the downtown streets. Following the parade, over 300 people enjoyed the night at the White Linen party, sponsored by Waldrop Construction company. They enjoyed a live DJ, food/drink vendors, lawn games and a photo booth, where over 400 pictures were taken.

Early Saturday morning close to thirty runners competed in the Unity 5k Fun Run, sponsored by the City of Early/ Early MDD. Ages ranged from 60 to the youngest who was 19 months, D3 (Draco Miller III), he road in his running stroller as his mom Deedy Miller ran the course.

As the clock struck noon, hundreds attended the sold-out Stack N Styles Brunch. Attendees enjoyed, bottomless mimosas, a variety of food, a live DJ and a red-carpet photo op.

Saturday afternoon was a picture-perfect day for the Fun in the Park activities, almost two thousand people came throughout the day to enjoy great music, carnival rides, water slides, great merchant and food vendors, culminating with live music from the Natural Change band, that evening. A special shout out goes to the HPU football team. 15 players came out to volunteer and play with the youth. At one point a water balloon fight broke out with over 2500 water balloons being thrown and the football team were the target. They entertained, monitored the water slides and mentored hundreds of youths.

Sunday concluded the four-day celebration with a worship service at A Breath of Praise Church, where Pastor Eric Jordan preached a great sermon.

ROC President Draco Miller, and the Juneteenth committee would like to thank the 85 businesses who sponsored or gave in kind donations. They would also like to thank the countless volunteers, the City of Brownwood, City of Early and every person who came far and wide to attend the celebration. It was truly a celebration of Unity and Strength, and showed all that we are truly one.