Fayette Juneteenth Celebration 2024

“Juneteenth: Honoring History; Embracing Progress”

The 24th annual Fayette Juneteenth celebration is just a few weeks away – June 19 thru 23. The theme is “Juneteenth: Honoring History; Embracing Progress,“ where we honor the sacrifices and struggles of our ancestors but look towards a future where every individual is treated with dignity and respect, where equality and justice are not just ideals, but realities for all. This year the committee will bring some expanded events and activities, all free and open to the public. Major  organizing sponsors are St. Paul United Methodist Church, Linn Memorial United Methodist Church, Second Baptist Church, Fayette Together, and Central Missouri Clergy Coalition.

This year Juneteenth is one week later. The committee decided to kick off the 5-day event on the official federal holiday, June 19. The first scheduled event will take place at 6:19 PM (the time coincides with the date June 19) and features the Rev. Dr. CW Dawson, Jr., who spoke at the Juneteenth Community Worship Service on June 19, 2022. Rev. Dr. Dawson‘s presentation is titled “A Dirty Little Secret” (Colorism and Christianity). Rev. Dr. Dawson is the first African American to attain a PHD. in philosophy from the University of Missouri and is an ordained minister. He has spent the last few years conducting research on the topic of Colorism. The event is free to the public and will take place at the St. Joseph Catholic Fellowship Hall.

On Thursday evening at 6:30 PM the committee will sponsor a play produced and directed by Dr. Elvira Maxwell, of Maxwell Theatrical Self Image, in Columbia, Missouri. In the past 20 plus years, Dr. Maxwell has produced  over 27 stage plays and has participated in every role from producer to director to actor. The title of the play is “Why We Celebrate Juneteenth.“ The production will include youth and will take place at Central Methodist University’s Little Theatre. The event is also free and open to all ages. There will be light refreshments following the performance.

The celebration continues on Friday evening at 6:30 PM with the annual Gospel Fest. This year will feature the local and talented Derrick Enyard Band. The band will perform gospel music and a unique genre of other music. During intermission there will be Juneteenth trivia, another new twist to the celebration this year.

Saturday, June 22 will provide a number of events and activities for the community. This day will kick off at 7:30 AM  with free refreshments sponsored by the United Methodist Men, followed by: the Howard County Health and Wellness Council’s Kid’s “Race Around the Square”, the Kid’s Market, a Youth Poster Contest, car show, games, live auction, and more. The annual parade will begin at 9:00 AM on Spring Street followed by the opening ceremony at 10:00 AM at the gazebo on the Courthouse lawn. During the ceremony the grand marshals and other honorees will be recognized. Kona Ice will offer free treats during the morning and early afternoon and The Gaines food tent, always a popular attraction, will be on hand to serve food and refreshments.

A new event that afternoon offered by the Ordinary Jane Organization (OJO) will be a “Sip and Paint” at the Alexander building from 2:30-6:30 PM. Later that the evening OJO will have the Derrick Enyard Band “Biscuits & Groovy” event performing live at the same location.

There will also be activities starting at 4 PM at Paige – Liberty Park with food, music and other activities for the public. At dusk that evening the park will host a firework show sponsored by the Juneteenth Celebration Committee.

Concluding the Juneteenth Celebration Week will be a community worship service on the Courthouse lawn gazebo area at 10:00 AM Sunday the 23rd. The Rev. Dr. Mike Mayo, of Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church, in Glasgow, MO will be the speaker and a community choir will perform at the service. For anyone interested in being a part of the choir, a rehearsal will take place Saturday, June 22 at 4 PM at the gazebo. The worship service offering will go back into the community to support the Ministerial Alliance Benevolence Fund.

The committee would like to offer their appreciation to all those that supported and funded the  Fayette Juneteenth Celebration this year. Anyone interested in participating in the celebration, may contact  Juneteenth coordinators Tim Jackman 573–289–3714 or Lue Lockridge-Lane 660-537-2156. Stay tune for more details to be published later and visit the Fayette MO Juneteenth 2024 Facebook page for more information.