City of Winter Haven issues Juneteenth proclamation ahead of celebration.
The City of Winter Haven, City Commissioner Meeting, June 8, 2026
Winter Haven City Clerk, Vanessa Castillo, addressed the City Commissioners with appreciation for their support of the annual Juneteenth Celebration, honoring the importance of the day in our nation’s history. “It reminds us of the day when enslaved African Americans learned that they were free.” Castillo continued, “It is time to remember the past, celebrate freedom, and come together as a community.”
The City of Winter Haven is inviting residents to celebrate Juneteenth on June 20 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the newly opened Winter Haven Recreation and Cultural Center on 801 M.L.K. Blvd NE, in Winter Haven.
This special event will honor the significance of Juneteenth through cultural performances, educational presentations, scholarship recognitions, live entertainment, and community fellowship. It’s an opportunity to learn, reflect, celebrate, and come together as a community.
Also notable in attendance were two recipients of the Winter Haven Juneteenth Scholarship: Aniayah Laster, 2026 graduate of Winter Haven High School, and Jayden Blocker, 2026 graduate of Auburndale High School. Each recipient earned a $500 scholarship to their college. Laster plans on attending Bethune-Cookman University Bethune-Cookman University opened on October 3, 1904 by Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune. It is an HBCU (Historically Black College and Universities) located in Daytona Beach, Florida, with a rich history and legacy in the State of Florida. Blocker plans on attending Ridge Technical College for the Electrician Program.
Read the Full Proclamation below.
The Winter Haven City Commission meets the second and fourth Mondays of each month at 6:00 p.m., in John Fuller Auditorium at City Hall. Agenda & Minutes For details, contact City Clerk Vanessa Castillo at 863-291-5627 or [email protected].
Sources: https://www.mywinterhaven.com/27/Government agenda packet and video from June 8, 2026. ; public Facebook images featured courtesy of Tracy Banks, mother of scholarship recipient, Aniayah Laster.
