LAFAYETTE COUNTY, MO JUNETEENTH 2009: COUNT DOWN, 4 MORE DAYS UNTIL EVENT ON JUNE 20, 2009

Juneteenth means freedom.

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.

Saturday, June 20, 2009 is the Lafayette County Juneteenth Celebration at the Fairground Park in Higginsville, MO. The theme is “Unity: Families Entwined in 2009.” This is a free, fun, family-oriented event that includes a parade, an opening ceremony, open-mike talent show, live music and entertainment, educational presentations and displays, horse rides, children's games and activities, food and craft vendors, and a Madden football video tournament.