Hundreds of people flocked to Ellis-Porter Riverside Park on Saturday for the final day of Jefferson City's 15th annual Juneteenth, a week-long celebration commemorating the end of slavery in the United States.
Juneteenth, the oldest known event of its kind, is celebrated throughout the country from one-day to month-long events.
The Juneteenth celebration kicked off last Sunday with a Father's Day awards banquet and concluded Saturday with the Heritage Festival that featured music, booths, food and fun for children, including a bounce house and games. Local performers also competed in the Juneteenth's Got Talent finals.
Education on Juneteenth history was incorporated into the series of events, including a week-long health, nutrition and dance camp and the Little Mr. and Miss Juneteenth pageant in which competitors answered questions about the celebration and its meaning.
W.T. Edmonson, Juneteenth founder and president of the board, said the committee prioritizes education in order to encourage the younger generation to keep the event going in future years.
The committee has remained similar for the past 15 years, and Edmonson hopes youth and millennials, in particular, will bring in new ideas for future Juneteenth events in order to reach those age groups and keep attendance up. Fewer people came to the Heritage Festival this year compared to the last, he said.
With the success of integration, Edmonson said 20-somethings and younger tend to be less aware of history and its impact on today's society. While slavery can be an uncomfortable topic, he said, it cannot be forgotten, and Juneteenth helps with that charge.
"Slavery has a negative connotation to it, so a lot of people don't want to think about it," Edmonson said. "For me, it's something that you don't want to forget. It's very important to ensure that the young people understand that this country has come a long way, but we still have a long way to go - even in race relations. You don't have to drop your history; you have to understand what your history was."
Juneteenth, he added, is also a time to honor the progress African Americans have made.
"We've come lightyears from where we thought we'd ever be," Edmonson said.
For many years, Mildred Glasper, of Jefferson City, has volunteered at the local Juneteenth celebration. She donated her time preparing food at the Heritage Festival in the hot weather. Edmonson said community service is the cornerstone of Juneteenth, and volunteers' attitude "permeates selfless giving."
"Juneteenth helps us appreciate our history and those people that came before us and paved the way for us," she said. "It's just an honor to do this and serve the community."
Leslie Rosenborough, of Mokane, grew up going to Juneteenth celebrations in Oklahoma. There, he learned the heritage and history.
"Juneteenth is my Fourth of July," he said.
The Juneteenth board will hold a wrap-up session in August to review this year's event.
For more information, access juneteenthjcmo.org.