The fifth annual Quad City Juneteenth Celebration offers fun activities, but also educational opportunities about local Black history, organizers say.
The event takes place June 19-21 this year at various sites in Crystal City and Festus.
“The main thing is to get the community involved in the Black history of the area and to bring more understanding of Juneteenth,” said Ernest Brown, one of the organizers. “It is a family event.”
Susan Harrison, secretary of the Quad City Juneteenth Celebration committee, said her group stages the event with the assistance of other organizations that want to join in the festivities.
“We put on the Juneteenth Celebration,” she said. “We invite other groups to join in. We welcome the general public to come join in the fun. We’re very much about educating what Juneteenth is about and celebrating freedom.”
Juneteenth is the national holiday observed on June 19 that commemorates the date in 1865 when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to take control of the state and ensure all enslaved people were freed.
Below is a list of the Juneteenth scheduled activities:
■ 7-10 p.m. June 19: Summer Soiree at The Marquee on Main, 516 Bailey Road, Crystal City. The fee is $20.
“There will be a DJ and live music,” Harrison said. “Carmen and the Melody Line will perform. The event is presented by the Mount Zion Cemetery Group.”
■ 9 a.m. to noon June 20: 3 on 3 basketball tournament at Hickey White Park, 237 County Road, Crystal City. $100 fee. “It’s put on by the 34Hoops Academy,” Harrison said. “There’s been big interest in it.”
■ 6-11 p.m. June 20: Celebration & Dinner at the Mississippi River Eagles hall, 330 Bailey Road, Crystal City. Cost is $10, with no charge for youngsters age 10 and under.
“Beats & Booths DJ will provide the music,” Harrison said. “There’s dancing, food and beverages and raffles.
“We also recognize elders of the community. This year, it’s Gary Underwood, a former Festus councilman, and Annette Hall, a longtime local educator.”
■ 11 a.m. June 21: Sunday Service at Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church, 136 Lincoln Ave., Crystal City.
■ 2-6 p.m. June 21: Freedom Fun Day at William Earl Cook Sr. Park, 300 block of South Adams Street, Festus.
For more information, visit the Juneteenth Celebration-Jefferson County page on Facebook or call 314-766-0055.
See pictures from last year's celebration:
