2024 Contests

Congratulations to Fauquier High School Student, Rueaa Ebrahim, First Annual Essay Prize Winner

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Congratulations to Fauquier High School Student, Rueaa Ebrahim, First Annual Essay Prize Winner ***

Thank you for your interest in participating in a competition at the Fourth Annual Fauquier County Juneteenth Celebration! This year the contests have been reimagined to explore additional cultural aspects relating to literacy, art, games, history, and recognizing local heroes.

New this year: 1) Essay Contest, 2) Photography Contest, 3) Fiber Arts, 4) Jams & Jelly Contest, and 5) Pound Cakes.

ESSAY CONTEST for Juniors & High School Seniors - $500 Prize

Launching February 1, 2024 in celebration of Black History Month. Prompt: How are joy and resilience in the Black Community shared in the the artistic work of African Americans? Essay submissions have closed for the 2024 season. Thank you to all students that submitted an essay for review. Our community judges are now at work reading the beautiful inputs and the winner will be announced no later than April 15, 2024.

Update 4/14/24: We have a winner!

The Fauquier Juneteenth Executive Committee is thrilled to announce the winner of the first ever Fauquier Juneteenth Essay Contest! We received a total of 11 entries. The judges all commented on the overall excellence of the submitted essays. The 2024 Essay Contest Winner is Rueaa Ebrahim of Fauquier High School! We’d also like to recognize Leguejou Awunganyi, also of Fauquier High School, for a very close second place! Please join us on June 15 for the celebration.  Rueaa will receive the Education Prize and read the award  winning essay.

Please join us in thanking our community judges - Ms.  Angela Robinson, Dr. Ethel Canty Bethuel, and Mr. Renard Carlos for their time and expertise.

Pictured: Rueaa Ebrahim at Fauquier High School, 2024, picture courtesy of Rueaa Ebrahim, not for reproduction without written permission.

RECOGNIZING COMMUNITY HEROES

Nominations will be accepted from February 12, 2024 through May 15, 2024 for your local hero to be recognized at the Fauquier Juneteenth event. Fauquier Juneteenth since inception has consistently recognized local heroes in previous years, celebrating individuals who have made significant contributions to the community. These local heroes embody the spirit of Juneteenth by promoting unity, equality, and positive change. Their diverse achievements span various fields, including education, activism, business, and community service. Fauquier Juneteenth's commitment to acknowledging and honoring these local heroes reflects its dedication to fostering a sense of pride, empowerment, and shared history within the community. Click here to nominate your community hero.

ART CONTEST - Youth & Adult Competitions -  “Embracing Freedom: Expressions of Resilience and Unity”

Artists get ready to embark on a creative journey where imagination meets history to celebrate the richness of Juneteenth! Unleash your artistic spirit and let your creativity flow as you contribute to a vibrant tapestry of expression. This competition is a canvas for celebrating the resilience, culture, and achievements associated with Juneteenth. Whether you're a seasoned artist or a budding creator, this is your opportunity to showcase your unique perspective and contribute to a powerful visual narrative. This is a new contest launching April 1, 2024 and can be submitted through June 1, 2024.

We will gladly return all entries after the Celebration. By participating in the contest, contestants agree that Fauquier Juneteenth, Inc. reserves the right to use or reproduce the artwork for promotional or educational purposes related to the mission. The Committee is committed to handling all submitted works with care and respect for the contestants’ contributions.

Drop off entries at our community partner, Walk by Faith located at 9 S 5th St, Warrenton, VA 20186.

Works will be judged on Adherence to the Theme, Originality/Creativity and Technical Skill.  

Photography Contest Theme: “Celebrating Liberation Through the Lens: Capturing the Essence of Juneteenth” 

Work will be judged based on Adherence to the Theme, Creativity and Originality, Technical skill/Composition 

Photographs need to be 5x7 and mounted on 8.5 x 11 thicker poster board/card stock. Digital entries for the photography contest will also be accepted and should be submitted via form. Physical entries can be dropped off at Walk by Faith or mailed to P.O. Box 420, Warrenton, VA. 20188. 

Fiber Arts Theme: “Weaving Threads of Emancipation: Textile Tales of Juneteenth Freedom” We will accept any type of fiber art: Crochet, Knitting or Quilting 

Work will be judged based on Adherence to Theme, Originality/Innovation + Use of materials, Technical Skill and Craftsmanship/Durability. Physical entries can be dropped off at Walk by Faith or mailed to P.O. Box 420, Warrenton, VA. 20188. 

Please include the following with your submission:

1. Artist's Name

2. Title of Artwork

3. Contact Information (Email Address and Phone Number)

4. Brief Description of the Artwork

5. Adult or Youth entry

JUNETEENTH TRIVIA

Grab your neighborhood partners, line sisters, and line brothers - this competition will be launching June 1, 2024. Bragging rights for the most knowledgeable team are up for grabs.

3RD ANNUAL SWEET POTATO PIE & POUND CAKE COMPETITION - 1st Place Sweet Potato Pie ($150) and 1st Place Pound Cake ($150)

Sweet Potato Pie and Pound Cake Contest!
What??? We value community feedback and we were asked to consider a pie/ pound cake contest this year. Some folks are intimidated by pie baking, and pound cake has a wonderful history within the African-American Heritage and Community, so why not??  Join in the fun…..enter one or both!

Contestants will be judged on the  following criteria: 

  • Presentation/Appearance

  • Crust – Flakiness 

  • Filling Texture/consistency 

  • Flavor 

Contestants will be judged on the  following criteria: 

  • Presentation/Appearance

  • Texture

  • Flavor

  • Consistency

Contestants will report to Contest Booth for check-in at 2:00p.m. All pies and cakes will be judged at 2:30p.m. and winners will be announced at 3:00p.m.

1ST ANNUAL JAM & JELLY CONTEST
Bring your homemade jams and or jellies to Fauquier Juneteenth for a new contest requested by our festival participants!

Entries are due no later than Friday 6p.m., June 14, 2024 at Walk By Faith Book Store 9 S 5th Street, Warrenton. All entries must be in clear canning jars with no rust on the screw top and labeled with the contents and dated no more than 12 months prior to the contest. Headspace is 1/4 inch from the lid.

Entries will be judged on the  following criteria: 

  • Flavor

  • Texture

  • Appearance

  • Consistency

  • Creativity

  • Labeling

Jams and Jellies will be judged separately. Winners will be announced at 3:00p.m.

The Hair Braiding, Spoken Word, and Mr. and Ms. Juneteenth contests will be considered for future years as the festival evolves.

For more information reach out to Jennifer Coates, Contest Coordinator at JenCoates41@gmail.com.

Contest Participants

2024

Essay Winner - Rueaa Ebrahim

Sweet Potato Pie Contest

2023 - 1st Place Emmett Bales, 2nd Place - Theresa Sykes

Hair Braiding Contest

2023 - Rose Wilkers

Blessed with Beauty by Barbara Green

Heroes Recognition

2023 - Mr. John Harrison; Alicia Schrank; Warrenton Police Chief Timothy Carter; Shirley M. Gilliam

2022 - Dr. Ellsworth L.B. Weaver, Sr.; Rev. Moyer Foddrell, Jr.; Robert L. Walker

2021 - Mrs. Karen White, AAHA Co-Founder

Rap Contest

Mr. Damon Tapscott