Juneteenth Celebration kicks of in Burlington

BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) - Burlington kicked off its fourth annual Juneteenth celebrations Saturday.

Vendors, musicians and activities galore filled downtown Burlington as attendees reveled in the celebrations.

Local group Arts So Wonderful joined forces with Ake's Place and 802 Cannabis to design Juneteenth murals on the wall facing Red Square.

Anyone could paint on the three separate designs - including the symbol of Juneteenth, and words of justice.

Organizer Bruce Wilson says having such a public facing representation of the holiday helps encourage more education and celebration around it.

"We thought we should just put something up on the wall representing Juneteenth, you know, freedom [from] slavery, and have everybody to come make it interactive where everyone can come and lay something down on the wall, and how good is that, it's gonna be forever," Bruce Wilson, Arts So Wonderful Executive Director said.

The celebrations continue until 11p.m.

There are several other events across the region leading up to actual holiday on Wednesday.

Keep in mind public offices will probably be closed Wednesday in observance of the day.