LAFAYETTE COUNTY, MO JUNETEENTH 2009: COUNT DOWN, SIX MORE DAYS TILL EVENT ON JUNE 20, 2009

UNITY: FAMILIES ENTWINED IN 2009


Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration of the ending of slavery. June 19, 1865, union soldiers, led by General Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston, Texas with 2000 Federal troops to issue the order hat the Civil War had ended and that all slaves were free. This was two and half years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation that had become official on January 1, 1863.


The annual Juneteenth parade commences at 15th and Main promptly at 10 am and ends at the Fairground Park. Linda Smith, parade coordinator says, “We invite all families to come out and watch the parade because Juneteenth is a historical event!” Mrs. Fern Mason of Lexington, MO is this year's Grand Marshall. Shelia Lee of Lexington, MO will be the parade announcer. Other parade highlights include Nadine Seals, 2009 Wentworth Military Academy queen candidate, Mayor Bill Kolas, Lafayette County Commisioners, MO State Representative Joe Aull, Greater KC Leavenworth Area Chapter 9th and 10th Horse Calvary Association of the Buffalo Soldiers,
and the Allah Temple # 6 Shriners.

LAFAYETTE COUNTY, MO JUNETEENTH CELEBARATION , JUNE 20, 2009 : BROTHER K BAND TO PLAY ON MAIN STAGE

“Brothers K Band is the brainchild of father/son songwriting and arranging team Robin and Chris Kalthoff. With the addition of Becka (Chris’s wife), the group has evolved into a unique blend of original music with a traditional sound, blending bluegrass, folk, rock and country with real stories from the heart of the Missouri River bottom land. Traditional instruments such as guitar, harmonica, dobro and auto harp are used in conjunction with African drums and shakers to create a fresh alternative to over-processed top 40 music. Vocals are interwoven into the music and used as instruments themselves to create this unique sound. As Chris so succinctly puts it:
'It’s Traditional Alternative Missouricana with a Twist of River Water!'” The group will be performing at 1pm at the amphitheater.

Lafayette County, MO Juneteenth Celebration Committee: Unity: Families Entwined in 2009, Come Out and Celebrate With Us!

2009 Lafayette County Juneteenth Celebration committee: Front row L to R: Shirley Cole, Arron Haynes, Deborah May, Shirley Hollis. Second row L to R: Gerald Gordon, Evelyn Trigg, Mary Turner, Dale May, and Walter Mayberry. Not pictured: Ronald Cole, Teresa Habernal, Chere and Eric Hartzell, Linda Smith, and Dorothy Lillard.

We invite everyone to come out on Saturday, June 20, 2009 to our Juneteenth Celebration. It's the biggest Juneteenth celebration in Lafayette County! Come to Higginsville, MO and celebrate with us! Family-friendly and free!

Theme: Unity: Families Entwined in 2009!!!!!!!!!

LAFAYETTE COUNTY, MO JUNETEENTH 2009: EDUCATIONAL DISPLAYS AND PRESENTATIONS ARE TRADITION OF JUNETEETNTH CELEBRATION

Mrs. Banty has been a faithful presenter since the first Juneteenth celebration was held in Lafayette County, MO in 2005. She has collected a large display of artifacts that represent the inventions that were created by African Americans.


“Unity: Families Entwined in 2009,” is the theme for the Lafayette County Juneteenth Celebration. The event will be held on Saturday, June 20, 2009 at the the Fairground Park in Higginsville, MO. Juneteenth is the oldest celebration that observes the end of slavery in America. Juneteenth means freedom. It is a celebration of family, culture, and empowerment. A yearly tradition of the county's annual event has been on the importance of providing an educational emphasis and programs. There will be displays and presentations at the Edwin Schwitsky 4-H Building located at the park.

The presentation schedule is as follows:
12:00 pm Black Inventions - Margaret Banty
12:15 pm Innovative Small Farmers Outreach Program – Katie Nixon
12:30 pm Wentworth Military Academy – Drew Burkeybile
12:45 pm Department of Conservation – B.J.Ream
1:00 pm – 2:30 pm Panel Discussion - Reverend Dale Felder, Nina Jones, J.S. Leonard, Ph.D., Reverend Gary Mayberry, Dr. Jeffrey Sattler, and Linda G. Smith, M.A.

“There's going to be a six-member panel to discuss topics to help families cope during these rough times. Emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual health, family unity, finances, and education are the topics that will be discussed. We want to encourage all to come and sit in on this panel discussion. There will be a short question and answer period, too.”says Teresa Habernal, educational coordinator.

Other displays and information will be provided by the Lafayette County Health Department, University of MO Extension, Quilting class, Odessa and Lexington, MO African American History, and the Mount Muncie Cemetery Documentation Project. The displays will be available from 12 noon to 3 pm. Any changes in this information will be announced on the day of the event. For further information, contact Teresa Habernal at 816-781-1246.

LAFAYETTE COUNTY, MO Pre-JUNETEENTH 2009: GOSPEL EXTRAVANGANZA SUCCESS

The program was held on Saturday, May 9, 2009 at 6 pm. The Lafayette County Juneteenth Celebration committee is the sponsor of the event. The program will be held at the St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church, 110 W 19th Street, Higginsville, MO.

Minister Jones and his family.


Program co-chairpersons: Dorothy Lillard and Shirley Hollins. These two did an excellent job of coordinating this program!



Shirley Cole, Lafayette County, MO Juneteenth Chairperson

None Other-talented group from Kansas City, MO. These ladies came to fill-in and were fabalous.


Russell Fears, Willie Robertson, Anna L. Barnes, Alice Weaver, and Rose Peghee. They are known and loved throughout the greater Kansas City area. (not in order of the name listing).



Wendall Adams

MO Jazz Juneteeth Event

Go to www.jazzmissouri.com for more information about the MO Jazz Juneteenth event.

Saturday, June 13, 2009
Marriott Country Club Hotel
4445 Main Street
Kansas City, Missouri
816-531-3000

LAFAYETTE COUNTY, MO JUNETEENTH 2009: ONE HIGHLIGHT WILL BE THE BUFFALO SOLDIERS!

The Greater Kansas City-Leavenworth Area Chapter of the 9th and 10th (Horse) Calvary Association of the Buffalo Soldiers whose motto is “Ready and Forward,” will be participating in the parade and the Juneteenth celebration. The group will have a kid’s drawing for t-shirts and other Buffalo Soldiers’ memorabilia. They will assist children with horse rides,too. The group will be presenting a brief history of their organization.

Juneteenth will be held on Saturday, June 20, 2009 at the Fairground Park in Higginsville, MO. The parade will start at 10 am and end at the park. An opening ceremony will immediately follow. The theme is "Unity: Families Entwined in 2009."

In 1866 after the Civil War, there was a need for a larger peacetime presence and this was six months after the passing of the 13th Amendment that abolished slavery. A military force was needed to preserve peace between the Native Americans and settlers, patrol the Mexican border, protect the railroads and wagon routes to the goldmines, and occupy southern states that were not complying with the anti-slavery laws. The 9th and 10th U.S. Horse Cavalry and the 38th, 39th, 40th, and 41st U.S. Infantry Regiments were formed. This was done through the Army Reorganization Act that authorized the formation of 30 new regiments and included six black units—two cavalry and four infantry regiments. African Americans were free and had valiantly fought as they served in the Civil War.

The Buffalo Soldiers’ association was organized to strengthen friendships and loyalty to those who have served and are serving in the armed forces, perpetuate the memory of deceased comrades and the history and accomplishments of the 9th and 10th Calvary units, assist the active units of the 9th and 10th Calvary unites, encourage the study of military history, especially the post civil war activities expanding and settling the western part of the U.S., support junior and senior R.O.T.C. program, and to render faithful service to the nation, the community, and comrades by setting an example of unselfish patriotism and service. James Madison is the president of the Greater Kansas City-Leavenworth Area Chapter of the 9th and 10th (Horse) Calvary Association of the Buffalo Soldiers .