The Missouri National Guard has increased its involvement with the annual Juneteenth Heritage Celebration this year.
The week of events will kick off Sunday with the Father's Day Awards Banquet featuring Brig. Gen. Gregory Mason.
The assistant adjutant general of maneuvers for the Missouri National Guard will speak at 2 p.m. at the Lincoln University Student Union Ballroom. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for ages 12 and younger.
Then, Lt. Col. Eddie Brown and other Guard personnel will lead the Emancipation Program at 5:30 p.m. Friday at the university Soldiers Memorial Plaza. It will focus on the role the Guard and other armed services has played in the freedoms enjoyed today.
The brief, educational program will include honor guard, a flag presentation ceremony for a retired servicemember and laying of a wreath. The program will conclude with a Symbolic Walk of Freedom to Memorial Hall.
Following the ceremony, Mr. Charles Machon, Director of the Museum of Missouri Military History, will present a historical military display and give a talk on the display and the new museum facility.
The Juneteenth Heritage Celebration will culminate with a festival beginning at noon June 14 at Ellis-Porter Riverside Park.
The Guard again will participate with displays, personnel and equipment.
The festival also will include vendors, food, informational exhibits, educational displays, employment opportunities, and health and wellness information. Activities for children will include games, bounce house, face painting, chalk drawing and art creations.
The Little Mr. and Miss Juneteenth and court will be crowned at the festival. The pageant for boys and girls ages 4-9 will follow the Emancipation Program at 7 p.m. Friday at the university's Martin Luther King Hall.
Another highlight of the festival will be the final competition of "Juneteenth's Got Talent." The final audition is 2-6 p.m. Saturday at the Coca-Cola Community Room, 605 Washington St. Prizes for first, second and third place will be awarded in two categories, ages 17 and younger and ages 18 and older.
The festival also will showcase the results of the Juneteenth - Footprints Project "Dance and Fitness Camp." The camp, sponsored by the Missouri Arts Council, will be offered 1-5 p.m. Monday through Friday at the university's Mitchell Auditorium, where participants will learn the art of creative, African, and step dance.
Other performances at the festival will include the St. Louis-based rhythm and blues band Phaze 1, Jay-Dah-Q Steppers, line dancing and DJ Keith Porter.
Call 573-893-4191 or email to [email protected] for more information.