2026 LAFAYETTE COUNTY, MO JUNTEENTH CELEBRATION
Theme: "Freedom: Yesterday's Legacy, Today's Promise, and Tomorrow's Hope!”
21st Year of Celebrating Juneteenth in Lafayette County, MO
AGENDA OF ACTIVITIES
FRIDAY, JUNE 26, 2026
9 AM LOCATION HIGGINSVILLE, MO FAIRGROUND PARK
FLAG-RAISING CEREMONY – NATIONAL ANTHEM SUNG BY 7-YEAR-OLD, AUDRIANA LEWIS, DAUGHTER OF REVEREND BRANDON AND LE’ANDREA LEWIS. SPECIAL GUESTS – SUMMER SCHOOL STUDENTS AND FLAG RAISERS
9:30 AM - 10:45 AM “JUNETEENTH PRESENTS”- EDUCATIONAL PRESENTATIONS FOR CHILDREN 3RD GRADE & UP. SPECIAL GUESTS ARE LAFAYETTE COUNTY SUMMER SCHOOL STUDENTS, HOME SCHOOL STUDENTS ARE WELCOME
SPECIAL PRESENTERS:
KEITH CONAWAY & FAMILY, ARTIST AND ILLUSTRATOR, BOOK ILLUSTRATOR OF THE BLACK WEST in STORY & SONG
CHRIS FRITSCHE, SUPERINTENDENT OF BATTLE OF LEXINGTON CENTER
DR. JOAHN HALL, EQUINE SPECIALIST, BUFFALO 8 RANCH, RICHMOND, MO
RAY SUTHERLAND, NEGRO BASEBALL LEAGUE FAN & EDUCATOR
GERALDYNE WILLIAMS, BLACK INVENTORS
REVEREND MARY WILLIAMS, GROWING UP WITH JUNETEENTH & AFRICAN CULTURE
FAIRGROUND COMMUNITY BUILDING
Meet & Greet 11 am – 1:00 pm
- Come let us know what you are doing. Come and talk with volunteers and workers who serve in our communities and learn more about upcoming events and opportunities to serve. We are planning to have voter education information. All Chamber of Commerce organizations are encouraged to attend. RSVP to Linda Smith at 816-456-6654. Everyone is welcome to come. We will have light refreshments.
1 PM – 2 PM
TOUR OF THE DOUGLASS SCHOOL 16TH STREET, HIGGINSVILLE, MO - SUMMER SCHOOL PARTICIPANTS WILL BE SPECIAL GUESTS. TOUR WILL BE LED BY TRAVIS BENTON, OWNER AND BUILDING RESTORATION PROJECT LEADER. MR. BENTON ALSO WAS AN STUDENT AT THE SCHOOL.
5 PM - POTLUCK ANNUAL WELCOME DINNER
In honor of our special guest speaker, Willa Robinson, we ask that you join us and bring your favorite casserole or dessert. Meat and drinks will be provided.
5:45 PM EVENING PROGRAM
INVOCATION: REVEREND EVERETT HANNON, JR. LCJF CHAPLAIN AND PASTOR OF THE SECOND MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH, LEXINGTON, MO
SONG IN UNISON “LIFT EVERY VOICE AND SING” W\ JOHNSON AND J. ROSAMUND JOHNSON. LED BY CAROL HANNON
UNITY IN THE COMMUNUTY: “MAKE A JOYFUL SOUND” – CAROL HANNON. A COMMUNITY SING-ALONG OF SONGS FROM THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT
FREEDOM’S PLOW – A READERS THEATER PLAY BY LANGSTON HUGHES
INTRODUCTION OF GUEST SPEAKER – Linda G. Smith
GUEST SPEAKER – MRS. WILLA ROBINSON
ANNOUNCEMENTS - Carol Hannon
BENEDICATION - REVEREND DALE FELDER
SATURDAY, JUNE 26, 2026, LOCATION: FAIRGROUND PARK, HIGGINSVILLE, MO
ND CHILDREN OF 1865, WE ARE REMEMBERING THEM.”
ED SCHWITSKY 4-H BUILDING
9:30 AM GREETINGS – ARRON HAYNES, PRESIDENT, LAFAYETTE COUNTY JUNETEENTH FOUNDATION
9:45 AM WHO AM I? – A GAME OF BLACK HISTORY
DISPLAYS – THERE WILL BE A NUMBER OF DISPLAYS. YOU CAN BE INVOLVED AND SHARE A DISPLAY ABOUT YOUR FAMILY AND YOU COMMUNITY. YOU WILL NEED TO CONTACT LINDA SMIT AT 816-456-6654 OR ARRON HAYNES 816-419-3704. CHECK OUT THE LAFAYETTE COUNTY FACEBOOK PAGE FOR MORE DETAILS. YOU WILL NEED TO BRING YOU OWN TABLE AND CHAIR.
GAMES & FUN – TRY YOUR HAND AT WIFFLE BALL, BASKETBALL,
HORSESHOE PITCHING, CROQUET, JACKS, TABLE GAMES, RELAYS, ETC. LOCATION WILL BE NEAR THE BASKETBALL COURTS AND SHELTER HOUSE NEAR THE COMMUNITY BUILDING
11:00 AM – 1 PM GAZEBO AT FAIRGROUND PARK - SOUTH SIDE
OUR FAVORITE JAZZIOSOS, A JAZZ BAND FROM WARRENSBURG, MO WILL BE PROVIDING MUSIC IN THE PARK.
AND VOLUNTEERS WILL SHARE INFORMATION ABOUT JAZZ ARTISTS FROM LAFAYETTE COUNTY.
OLD FASHION BASKET DINNER – A POTLUCK - FAMILIES WILL BRING THEIR OWN FOOD TO SHARE AS IN THE OLD DAYS. We PROVIDE THE DRINKS.
FAIRGROUND PARK COMMUNITY BUILDING
01:30 PM PANEL DISCUSSION FOR THE DOUGLASS SCHOOL ALUMNI
REVEREND ALVIN DIXON, FACILLITATOR
2:00 PM “SOUNDS OF EXPERIENCE– EMMANUEL, 104-YEAR-OLD HELENE AND GARNETT.” PETER WILKERSON INTERVIEWED THESE SENIOR CITIZENS AND SHARES THIS VIDEO. THIS PRESENTATION MAY ENCOURAGE YOU TO DO YOUR OWN HISTORY AND CATCH THE STORIES OF YOUR ELDERS!
3:00 PM “GOT MY DIPLOMA”! GOT MY DEGREE!” HEAR FROM RECENT GRADUATES FROM HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE!
4:00 PM ANNOUNCEMENTS - ACTIVITIES IN LEXINGTON, MO ON SUNDAY, JUNE 28,2026, LINDA SMITH SHARES THIS WRAP-UP
BENEDICTION – REVEREND EVERETT HANNON, JR
SUNDAY, JUNE 28, 2026
JUNTEENTH ACTIVITES CONTINUE IN LEXINGTON, MO
11 AM WORSHIP SERVICE
SECOND MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH, 102 MAIN LEXINGTON, MO. 64067
A LIGHT LUNCH IS PROVIDED AFTER THE SERVICE.
REVEREND EVERETT HANNON, JR., PASTOR
2:00 PM THE LEX, 111 South, Lexington, MO 64067
GOSPEL EXTRAVANZA FEATURING TOP TALENTED SINGERS. SPONSORED BY MINUTEMEN PRIDE-ALLAN LEE & THE LAFAYETTE COUNTY JUNETEENTH FOUNDATION
THE LAFAYETTE COUNTY JUNETEENTH FOUNDATION BOARD THANKS ALL ATTENDEES, VOLUNTEERS, DONORS, AND PARTNERS WHO HELPED TO MAKE THIS JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION A SUCCESS!
Juneteenth celebrations have been held in our county since 2005. Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration of the ending of slavery. On June 19, 1865, union soldiers, led by General Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston, Texas with 2000 Federal troops to issue the order that 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 first Lafayette County, MO Juneteenth celebration was held in 2005. Annual observances have occurred during most years since our start. In 2021, President Joe Biden signed legislation to make Juneteenth a national holiday. Juneteenth National Independence Day is the first new federal holiday since Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 1983.
The Lafayette County Juneteenth Foundation is a nonprofit 501-c3 organization.
MISSION STATEMENT
The Lafayette County Juneteenth Foundation mission is to develop and implement a festival that promotes the celebration of family, celebrates African American freedom, and cultivates mutual involvement of social service entities, and economic participation of the county-wide business community.
2026 LAFAYETTE COUNTY, MO JUNTEENTH CELEBRATION
Theme: "Freedom: Yesterday's Legacy, Today's Promise, and Tomorrow's Hope!”
21st Year of Celebrating Juneteenth in Lafayette County, MO
AGENDA OF ACTIVITIES
FRIDAY, JUNE 26, 2026
9 AM LOCATION HIGGINSVILLE, MO FAIRGROUND PARK
FLAG-RAISING CEREMONY – NATIONAL ANTHEM SUNG BY 7-YEAR-OLD, AUDRIANA LEWIS, DAUGHTER OF REVEREND BRANDON AND LE’ANDREA LEWIS. SPECIAL GUESTS – SUMMER SCHOOL STUDENTS AND FLAG RAISERS
9:30 AM - 10:45 AM “JUNETEENTH PRESENTS”- EDUCATIONAL PRESENTATIONS FOR CHILDREN 3RD GRADE & UP. SPECIAL GUESTS ARE LAFAYETTE COUNTY SUMMER SCHOOL STUDENTS, HOME SCHOOL STUDENTS ARE WELCOME
SPECIAL PRESENTERS:
KEITH CONAWAY & FAMILY, ARTIST AND ILLUSTRATOR, BOOK ILLUSTRATOR OF THE BLACK WEST in STORY & SONG
CHRIS FRITSCHE, SUPERINTENDENT OF BATTLE OF LEXINGTON CENTER
DR. JOAHN HALL, EQUINE SPECIALIST, BUFFALO 8 RANCH, RICHMOND, MO
RAY SUTHERLAND, NEGRO BASEBALL LEAGUE FAN & EDUCATOR
GERALDYNE WILLIAMS, BLACK INVENTORS
REVEREND MARY WILLIAMS, GROWING UP WITH JUNETEENTH & AFRICAN CULTURE
FAIRGROUND COMMUNITY BUILDING
Meet & Greet 11 am – 1:00 pm
- Come let us know what you are doing. Come and talk with volunteers and workers who serve in our communities and learn more about upcoming events and opportunities to serve. We are planning to have voter education information. All Chamber of Commerce organizations are encouraged to attend. RSVP to Linda Smith at 816-456-6654. Everyone is welcome to come. We will have light refreshments.
1 PM – 2 PM
TOUR OF THE DOUGLASS SCHOOL 16TH STREET, HIGGINSVILLE, MO - SUMMER SCHOOL PARTICIPANTS WILL BE SPECIAL GUESTS. TOUR WILL BE LED BY TRAVIS BENTON, OWNER AND BUILDING RESTORATION PROJECT LEADER. MR. BENTON ALSO WAS AN STUDENT AT THE SCHOOL.
5 PM - POTLUCK ANNUAL WELCOME DINNER
In honor of our special guest speaker, Willa Robinson, we ask that you join us and bring your favorite casserole or dessert. Meat and drinks will be provided.
5:45 PM EVENING PROGRAM
INVOCATION: REVEREND EVERETT HANNON, JR. LCJF CHAPLAIN AND PASTOR OF THE SECOND MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH, LEXINGTON, MO
SONG IN UNISON “LIFT EVERY VOICE AND SING” W\ JOHNSON AND J. ROSAMUND JOHNSON. LED BY CAROL HANNON
UNITY IN THE COMMUNUTY: “MAKE A JOYFUL SOUND” – CAROL HANNON. A COMMUNITY SING-ALONG OF SONGS FROM THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT
FREEDOM’S PLOW – A READERS THEATER PLAY BY LANGSTON HUGHES
INTRODUCTION OF GUEST SPEAKER – Linda G. Smith
GUEST SPEAKER – MRS. WILLA ROBINSON
ANNOUNCEMENTS - Carol Hannon
BENEDICATION - REVEREND DALE FELDER
SATURDAY, JUNE 26, 2026, LOCATION: FAIRGROUND PARK, HIGGINSVILLE, MO
ND CHILDREN OF 1865, WE ARE REMEMBERING THEM.”
ED SCHWITSKY 4-H BUILDING
9:30 AM GREETINGS – ARRON HAYNES, PRESIDENT, LAFAYETTE COUNTY JUNETEENTH FOUNDATION
9:45 AM WHO AM I? – A GAME OF BLACK HISTORY
DISPLAYS – THERE WILL BE A NUMBER OF DISPLAYS. YOU CAN BE INVOLVED AND SHARE A DISPLAY ABOUT YOUR FAMILY AND YOU COMMUNITY. YOU WILL NEED TO CONTACT LINDA SMIT AT 816-456-6654 OR ARRON HAYNES 816-419-3704. CHECK OUT THE LAFAYETTE COUNTY FACEBOOK PAGE FOR MORE DETAILS. YOU WILL NEED TO BRING YOU OWN TABLE AND CHAIR.
GAMES & FUN – TRY YOUR HAND AT WIFFLE BALL, BASKETBALL,
HORSESHOE PITCHING, CROQUET, JACKS, TABLE GAMES, RELAYS, ETC. LOCATION WILL BE NEAR THE BASKETBALL COURTS AND SHELTER HOUSE NEAR THE COMMUNITY BUILDING
11:00 AM – 1 PM GAZEBO AT FAIRGROUND PARK - SOUTH SIDE
OUR FAVORITE JAZZIOSOS, A JAZZ BAND FROM WARRENSBURG, MO WILL BE PROVIDING MUSIC IN THE PARK.
AND VOLUNTEERS WILL SHARE INFORMATION ABOUT JAZZ ARTISTS FROM LAFAYETTE COUNTY.
OLD FASHION BASKET DINNER – A POTLUCK - FAMILIES WILL BRING THEIR OWN FOOD TO SHARE AS IN THE OLD DAYS. We PROVIDE THE DRINKS.
FAIRGROUND PARK COMMUNITY BUILDING
01:30 PM PANEL DISCUSSION FOR THE DOUGLASS SCHOOL ALUMNI
REVEREND ALVIN DIXON, FACILLITATOR
2:00 PM “SOUNDS OF EXPERIENCE– EMMANUEL, 104-YEAR-OLD HELENE AND GARNETT.” PETER WILKERSON INTERVIEWED THESE SENIOR CITIZENS AND SHARES THIS VIDEO. THIS PRESENTATION MAY ENCOURAGE YOU TO DO YOUR OWN HISTORY AND CATCH THE STORIES OF YOUR ELDERS!
3:00 PM “GOT MY DIPLOMA”! GOT MY DEGREE!” HEAR FROM RECENT GRADUATES FROM HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE!
4:00 PM ANNOUNCEMENTS - ACTIVITIES IN LEXINGTON, MO ON SUNDAY, JUNE 28,2026, LINDA SMITH SHARES THIS WRAP-UP
BENEDICTION – REVEREND EVERETT HANNON, JR
SUNDAY, JUNE 28, 2026
JUNTEENTH ACTIVITES CONTINUE IN LEXINGTON, MO
11 AM WORSHIP SERVICE
SECOND MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH, 102 MAIN LEXINGTON, MO. 64067
A LIGHT LUNCH IS PROVIDED AFTER THE SERVICE.
REVEREND EVERETT HANNON, JR., PASTOR
2:00 PM THE LEX, 111 South, Lexington, MO 64067
GOSPEL EXTRAVANZA FEATURING TOP TALENTED SINGERS. SPONSORED BY MINUTEMEN PRIDE-ALLAN LEE & THE LAFAYETTE COUNTY JUNETEENTH FOUNDATION
THE LAFAYETTE COUNTY JUNETEENTH FOUNDATION BOARD THANKS ALL ATTENDEES, VOLUNTEERS, DONORS, AND PARTNERS WHO HELPED TO MAKE THIS JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION A SUCCESS!
Juneteenth celebrations have been held in our county since 2005. Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration of the ending of slavery. On June 19, 1865, union soldiers, led by General Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston, Texas with 2000 Federal troops to issue the order that 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 first Lafayette County, MO Juneteenth celebration was held in 2005. Annual observances have occurred during most years since our start. In 2021, President Joe Biden signed legislation to make Juneteenth a national holiday. Juneteenth National Independence Day is the first new federal holiday since Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 1983.
The Lafayette County Juneteenth Foundation is a nonprofit 501-c3 organization.
MISSION STATEMENT
The Lafayette County Juneteenth Foundation mission is to develop and implement a festival that promotes the celebration of family, celebrates African American freedom, and cultivates mutual involvement of social service entities, and economic participation of the county-wide business community.
No comments:
Post a Comment