Despite broiling summer temperatures last weekend, a total of about 500 people turned out for the fourth annual Quad City Juneteenth Celebration held June 20-22 in Jefferson County, said Samone Riney, a member of the event committee.
The celebration included a Meet and Greet session the evening of June 20 at American Legion Post 253 in Festus; a Honk & Wave Drive & Walk Through during the day June 21 at Mount Zion Cemetery, a historic Black cemetery in Festus; a Family Fun Dance the evening of June 21 at Amvets Post 42 in Herculaneum; Sunday worship services the morning of June 22 at Buren Chapel A.M.E. in Herculaneum; and a Family Fun Picnic for much of the rest of the day June 22 at Kade’s Playground at the William C. Haggard City Park in Herculaneum.
“Absolutely, we’re very happy with the attendance,” Riney said.
She said organizers made provisions to deal with the hot weather for the outdoor events.
“We brought out fans,” she said. “We also had a tent for the outside events for a place for people to cool.
“We also had the picnic at the water park (Bay of Naples Splash Zone at Kade’s Playground) where the kids could go to cool. We also had snow cones for the kids at the picnic.”
The local celebration is held to commemorate Juneteenth, the federal holiday observed annually on June 19 to recognize the date in 1865 when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to take control of the state and ensure all enslaved people were freed.
“Juneteenth is important because it helps people to recognize and remind them of our freedom,” Riney said. “It’s important not just for African-Americans, but for all people of our country.”
She said the local Juneteenth Celebration, which also serves as a homecoming event, has become a tradition in the community.
“Next year’s is already being worked on,” she said. “We don’t have a date yet, but that will be announced.”
Riney said the dance was held at Herculaneum Amvets Post 42 for the first time this year and attendees were pleased with the venue.
“It worked out well,” Riney said.
A number of businesses, congregations, organizations and people donated money to help fund the event, she said.
Donations are still being accepted for future Juneteenth celebrations. They may be mailed to P.O. Box 272, Crystal City, 63019.
Click to see more pictures from the event:
