Juneteenth 2024 to offer variety of events, concerts and activities June 8-16

QUINCY — The annual Juneteenth Community Celebration returns to Quincy for its third year, with First Baptist Church as the host. Events will be held throughout the city June 8-16.

The theme for this year’s event is Celebrating Freedom, kicking off with the Juneteenth community picnic at Moorman Park at noon on Saturday, June 8. All are welcome to attend. Admission is free.

The festivities continue from 5 to 10 p.m. on Friday, June 14, with the Juneteenth Community Gala at the Oakley-Lindsay Center in downtown Quincy. The gala is the night and time to shine, with the color theme of white and gold, as well as dinner and an inspiring program. Music will be provided by the energetic PC Band (Perfect Combination) from Memphis, Tenn. Happy Hour will be from 5 to 6 p.m. with the dinner and program from 6 to 7 p.m. and live music beginning at 7:30 p.m. Tickets can be bought at www.celebrateqcyjuneteenth.com. Ticket price is $50 if bought by May 31 and $60 through June 7.

The Buffalo Soldiers, St. Louis and Kansas City chapters, will ride at noon on Saturday, June 15, from 33rd and Maine to Washington Park to kick off the community festival in Washington Park from 1 to 8:30 p.m. The event will be loaded with family-friendly activities such as bounce houses, a petting zoo, Puttin on the Hits, a cake walk and vendors. Musical highlights will feature the Mid MO High Steppers Dance Troupe from Columbia, Mo., with the Sheryl Youngblood Blues Band from Chicago closing the night. The event is open to the public and free to attend.

Juneteenth 2024 will culminate with the Voices of Juneteenth community choir at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 16, at First Baptist Church, directed and led by Ms. Koretta Sykes and Marquis Smith. This is also a free event to attend.

“We are excited to be hosting the third annual Juneteenth Celebration. God has given us vision for our community, and it’s been a blessing in many ways. The community has been so supportive, and for that we are grateful,” Lena Jones, Quincy Juneteenth Coordinator, said in a press release.

Contact Jones at 217-617-2861 or jlena7319@gmail.com for more information regarding Juneteenth or to be a vendor. Information is available at www.celebrateqcyjuneteenth.com