Fulton plans to celebrate the nation’s newest federally recognized holiday.
The Human Rights Commission is hosting an event next weekend for Juneteenth, which became a national holiday last year.
Juneteenth commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African-Americans. It’s been celebrated on June 19 since 1865.
Carmen Brandt, chairperson for the Fulton Human Rights Commission, said it was time for the holiday to get more recognition.
“Now that it is a federal holiday, let’s really step forward in our community… to say freedom is important to all and let people know this truly is something to be proud of,” she said. “We need to spread the word, in these times, how important freedom is.”
The committee researched other Missouri towns that have held Juneteenth events in the past, such as Hannibal, Boonville and Mexico.
Part of the Human Rights Commission’s mission focuses on educating the community about the rights of others, Brandt said. The commission thought a Juneteenth celebration would be a good opportunity for some of that education.
Saturday’s event will include food, music, art and vendors, along with a speech by retired Fulton physician Dr. Thomas Cooper. Former State Rep. Gracia Backer will introduce him.
“Talking to both of those young people… they have a lot of comments,” Brandt said. “They have a lot of good information to share.”
Fulton Mayor Lowe Cannell will deliver a proclamation and an American Sign Language interpreter will also be there to translate the speeches.
“Several of our members will open the program with what is Juneteenth? Why are we celebrating it?” she said. “We will have a prayer. We will have some singing and we will have some dancing. But it will truly be a celebration to say freedom for all.”
The NAACP will also have a voter registration booth, local veterans will share information about resources in the community and the commission will share some of the work it does.
The event will be held noon-4 p.m. Saturday in Veterans Park. Brandt said in the event of rain, it will be moved into the Legend’s Rec-Plex.
Along with the celebration, the Kingdom of Callaway Historical Society has put up a Juneteenth- inspired window display in its storefront on Court Street.
The display includes the history of Juneteenth, notable Black figures from American history, a timeline of slavery in the country and some items that would have been used around the time of the Emancipation Proclamation.
“We encourage people to take a walk down court street to see that,” Brandt said.