Here’s a list of Juneteenth events in southwest IL, St. Louis area this weekend
Residents in our communities are preparing to celebrate Juneteenth this weekend. Here are some of the events taking place:
▪ 618 Day and Juneteenth Celebration — 9 a.m. Saturday, June 18. East St. Louis City Hall, 301 River Park Drive, East St. Louis, and the Clyde C. Jordan Senior Center, 6755 State St., East St. Louis. Festivities start at 9 a.m. with the Alpha Phi Alpha Juneteenth 5K Run/Walk at East St. Louis City Hall. Following the 5K, a Parade will begin at 5th and State streets to 65th and State streets. At noon, East St. Louis will host a Community Block Party at the Clyde C. Jordan Senior Center featuring a concert, 3-on-3 basketball tournaments, food trucks, bounce houses, face painting, community service, retail and food booths.
▪ Emancipation Proclamation Display — 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday, June 17, Sunday, June 19 thru Friday, June 24, and Monday, June 27 thru Thursday, June 30. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, 112 N. Sixth St., Springfield. The proclamation will be displayed in the ALPLM’s library building, where there is no charge for admission, rather than the museum building. The ALPLM is also presenting a display about the history of Black Americans and their fight for full citizenship. The graphic appears on windows along one side of the museum and includes a timeline running from 1787 to present and touches on slavery in the supposedly free state of Illinois, a riot that targeted Black people in Springfield, and Juneteenth celebrations in Lincoln’s hometown. It was developed by Juneteenth Inc. and the Illinois State Museum. presidentlincoln.illinois.gov
▪ Forward Together in Belleville - Juneteenth Celebration — 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 18. Love Church, 1549 Frank Scott Parkway West, Belleville. The holiday celebration event includes food, entertainment, education and community vendors. https://bit.ly/3tBFYRg
▪ 31st Juneteenth Anniversary Celebration — 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 18. James H. Killion Park, 2400 Washington Ave., Alton. Featuring Ronni Gee/Bob Cervera, children’s activities, music and entertainment, food and historical information. Free and open to the public. jacobyartscenter.org
▪ Belleville-O’Fallon Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Juneteenth Celebration — Noon to 7 p.m. Saturday, June 18. In the park adjacent to 802 W. C St., Belleville. Food trucks on site, bounce houses, face painting and horseback riding for the kids, cultural dance (3 p.m.), live music (5-7 p.m.). https://bit.ly/3xSD7ph
▪ O’Fallon Metro-East NAACP Branch Juneteenth Celebration — 1-2:30 p.m. Saturday, June 18. O’Fallon Public Library, 120 Civic Plaza, O’Fallon. There will be a guest speaker, book reading, book giveaway, storytelling and refreshments.
▪ Juneteenth Celebration with Saint Louis Story Stitchers Performance — 2:30-3 p.m. Saturday, June 18. Old North St. Louis, 1307 Montgomery, St. Louis. Saint Louis Story Stitchers youth artists will perform with messages about public health and safety — boosting vaccine confidence and encouraging their peers to take the lead on gun violence prevention. storystitchers.org
▪ Juneteenth ‘Free-Dome’ Celebration — 1-7 p.m. Sunday, June 19. Fairground Park - St. Louis, North Grand and Natural Bridge, St. Louis. A one-day, family-oriented event celebrating the rich heritage, history and culture of people of African descent. We will come together to show that we are UNITED and to celebrate our unity with diverse people throughout Saint Louis City. saintlaaafab.com
▪ Free Concert Honoring Juneteenth — 2 p.m. Sunday, June 19. Greater Mount Carmel Missionary Baptist Church, 1617 N. Euclid Ave., St. Louis. The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra musicians and vocalists from the SLSO’s IN UNISON Chorus and IN UNISON Scholars program will perform works by Black artists including Margaret Bonds, Florence Price, and more, as well as spirituals and hymns from Black American musical expression. Throughout the collaborative program, Rev. Nance and leadership from Greater Mount Carmel will teach about the importance of Juneteenth, a federal holiday commemorating the emancipation of enslaved Black Americans. No tickets or RSVPs are required.
▪ ROBERTNELSON: Song for My Father - A Juneteenth and Father’s Day Celebration — 7 p.m. Sunday, June 19. Blue Strawberry, 364 N. Boyle, St. Louis. An introspective and bold celebration of American music that musically reveals and celebrates fathers and male voices in music. This jazz, soul and latin grooves party not only celebrates the art of the man and Juneteenth Pride, but also pops the cork in a passionate celebration of love and life. Tickets start at $20. bluestrawberrystl.com
