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.