The Quad City Juneteenth Homecoming Celebration set for June 21-23 not only celebrates Black culture, but also offers former Jefferson County residents the chance to return to the area and visit with old friends, organizer Ernest Brown said.
This will be the third year for the event, which is sponsored by the Mount Zion Cemetery Group, a nonprofit organization that maintains the historical Black cemetery in Festus.
“We’re looking for more sponsors each year,” Brown said.
The following events are planned for the Juneteenth Homecoming:
■ June 21: 6-10 p.m., meet and greet, at American Legion Post 253, 849 American Legion Drive, Festus. It’s free to attend, but donations will be accepted to help fund future Juneteenth celebrations.
“It’s a social gathering so people from out of town can come together and meet with others,” Brown said. “It’s mostly mingling, but a DJ will play music.
■ June 22: 6-11:30 p.m., Juneteenth dance at American Legion Post 253. The cost to attend is $5. Those 15 and younger may get in for free.
“The music will be from a DJ,” Brown said. “We’ll give away door prizes, and there will be food provided. There will be an awards presentation.”
■ June 23: 11 a.m., Juneteenth program at Buren Chapel A.M.E. Church, 321 S. Adams St., Festus; 12:30 p.m., Juneteenth picnic at South Adams Street Park. It’s free to attend both events.
“There will be a program with a speech (at Buren Chapel A.M.E. Church),” Brown said. “Joseph Thurman, Jefferson College history professor, will talk about Juneteenth.
“(After the program), we’ll go across the street to South Adams Street Park for a picnic. We’ll have games, and we will provide free hot dogs and hamburgers. If they want to bring their own grills to make their own barbecue, they’re welcome to do it.”
Brown stressed that the Quad City Juneteenth Homecoming activities are open to anyone. Last year’s event, which took place over two days, drew more than 100 people, organizers said.
“It’s really growing each year,” Brown said. “I think this year it will get even bigger. We try to unite everybody.”
This year’s event will not include a fishing tournament.
Donations to help fund future celebrations may be mailed to P.O. Box 272, Crystal City, 63019.
According to the History Channel website, Juneteenth, which became an official national holiday on June 17, 2021, commemorates the date in 1865 when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to take control of the state and ensure that all enslaved people be freed. In 1979, Texas became the first state to make Juneteenth an official holiday.
For more information, about the local celebration, call Brown, 314-766-0055; Bishop Ron Luellen, 636-937-6797; or Rochelle Mayes, 636-931-6618, or visit the Juneteenth Celebration – Jefferson County Facebook page.