Highland Falls Celebrates 10 Years of Juneteenth Unity

Ten years of freedom celebrations came together on Main Street in Highland Falls, New York, as the community marked its anniversary of honoring Juneteenth with a parade, ceremony, and music that filled Memorial Park.

The June 20 event brought together residents, elected officials, and the Herman Wright Drum Line for a parade featuring floats, local emergency services, and community members. It ended with the raising of the Juneteenth flag at Memorial Park, where the crowd gathered to celebrate freedom and unity.

"The unity that came down Main St. today is what Juneteenth is all about," said mistress of ceremonies Arvinese Reid. "Celebrating unity, celebrating individuality but coming together."

Town Councilman Tyrone King, who has organized the event for all ten years, honored the late Laura Lanier, who first brought Juneteenth to Highland Falls after serving in the U.S. Air Force. Lanier's mother and aunt rode in the parade in a convertible, keeping her legacy alive.

King reminded attendees they were setting an example for future generations. "You're not just here to watch, you're here as an example. You are pillars of our community."

The Ripple Effect

The celebration's impact extends beyond one day. King also runs the Veterans Resiliency Coalition, hosting regular wellness events for veterans throughout the region.

Dr. Belinda Miles, president of SUNY Westchester, served as guest speaker and marched in the parade. She called the day a celebration of those who faced "generations of injustice, yet clung to the hope for a brighter tomorrow."

"To this day we celebrate the arrival of the news of emancipation, that was delayed, but not denied," Miles told the crowd.

Army Sgt. Demus and THPD Officer Clarke raised the Juneteenth flag together as the ceremony concluded. Musical performances from the Memorial Park gazebo kept families lingering, enjoying the celebration and each other's company.

A decade of dedication shows how one person's vision can grow into a community tradition that plants seeds of understanding for generations to come.