COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Juneteenth celebrations are set to take place in both Jefferson city and Columbia Saturday, for the public to attend to celebrate the holiday.
Juneteenth, is a celebration marking the official end to slavery as federal troops marched into Galveston, Texas to ensure all enslaved people were free over 100 years ago.
The event happen two years after Abraham Lincoln signed the emancipation proclamation.
2021 was the first time Juneteenth became a national holiday after President Biden signed a document making it official.
In Columbia, a parade is set to start at 10 a.m on Saturday.
The line up will begin at 9 a.m. at First Baptist Church on 1112 E.Broadway and travel down East Broadway and end at Douglass park.
The event is set to last until 6 p.m with games, food and other activities for people to enjoy.
Columbia police will also have traffic devices along the parade route to block traffic, so drivers will need to find alternative routes.
On Sunday, there will also be a father’s day celebration from 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m at Douglass Park that includes free food, a crowning of fathers and other activities.
This is the 2nd annual celebration in Columbia for the Juneteenth Holiday.
In Jefferson City, there will be a heritage celebration that includes an emancipation program starting at 10 a.m. at Lincoln University’s soldier’s memorial, followed by a freedom march to community park at 10:40 a.m.
Once at community park A Juneteenth Heritage Festival will begin at 11 a.m that includes a heritage tour, book signing and other activities.
To observe the holiday, Jefferson City has decided to close all their city offices on Monday with operations resuming on Tuesday.
This is also the first year Columbia is observing Juneteenth, so city offices will be closed in Columbia on Monday as well.
