Gallery: Chandler celebrates Juneteenth with pageant, music

Vaughn Willis performs with the band Ear Candy at Chandler’s Juneteenth event earlier this month. U.S. Rep and Senate candidate Ruben Gallego speaks at Chandler’s Juneteenth event earlier this month. Chandler Vice Mayor O.D. Harris speaks at Chandler’s Juneteenth event earlier this month. Chandler Mayor Kevin Hartke speaks at Chandler’s Juneteenth event earlier this month. Miss Juneteenth Arizona 2024 Mara McPhail, right, speaks at Chandler’s Juneteenth event earler this month as first runner-up Alyssa Morrison applauds Morrison will fulfill Miss Juneteenth duties while McPhail is away at college. (independent Newsmedia/Jason W. Brooks)

Chandler City Council member Christine Ellis speaks at Chandler’s Juneteenth event earlier this month A pageant and an evening of live music were part of how Chandler celebrated Juneteenth this year.

A June 14 pageant is where Mara McPhail was crowned Miss Juneteenth Arizona 2024, though first runner-up Alyssa Morrison will fulfill duties of the title while McPhail is away at college this next year.

One night later, several elected officials and the two incoming Miss Juneteenths spoke, along with Miss Juneteenth Arizona 2023 Sascha Reveron, at a Juneteenth event at A.J. Chandler Park.

Chandler Mayor Kevin Hartke, Vice Mayor O.D. Harris, Council member Christine Ellis and U.S. Rep. Ruben Gallego were among those who spoke briefly about the importance of recognizing Juneteenth.

Musicians Vaughn Willis and Ear Candy performed all types of memorable tunes as dozens of people danced at the June 15 event.

We’d like to invite our readers to submit their civil comments on this topic.  Email AZOpinions@iniusa.org . Email Jason W. Brooks at jbrooks@iniusa.org .