Friday, June 15-17, the Neighbors of Fountain Park will partner with Centennial Church and comedian/promoter Eric Rivers to mix up some consciousness, community, entertainment and worship at The Fountain Park Juneteenth Celebration.
Alderman Terry Kennedy has the consciousness thing down.
“The Fountain Park Juneteenth Celebration is one of the major St. Louis observances of the historic ending of chattel slavery in America. It is important that this date is not forgotten for it marks a significant turn in the political affairs of America,” Alderman Kennedy said.
Juneteenth is a mashup of June 19th. It commemorates the date in 1865 when the last of the slaves in the former Confederacy were freed in Texas.
Fountain Park is the place to celebrate it in St. Louis.
“Fountain Park holds the only statute of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in a public park in St. Louis,” Kennedy said. “These residents felt that this park would be an appropriate location for a celebration that marks the ending of slavery for African Americans – for Dr. King stood for justice.”
The Neighbors of Fountain Park are bringing the community services.
“The Neighbors of Fountain Park are committed to bring about change and create awareness and connect people with resources that are available,” said Clint Potts, Chairman, Neighbors of Fountain Park.
“We’ll have several community agencies out, like Beyond Housing, Planned Parenthood and the mammogram mobile to empower our people, and also educate them about Juneteenth.”
Eric Rivers wants to entertain the people.
“I’ll have our hot local artists that are on the radio now,” Rivers said. “I’m gonna have Rivers Boyz, Two Legit and Y.N.P., Yung N Rekklace.” DJ Ice T, a female DJ, will spin.
Centennial Church, a prominent 100-plus-year-old congregation, will spark the worship with morning worship services in Fountain Park from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 17, Father’s Day. Free gifts will be given to all fathers, and Karen Hylton will lead in song.
“Centennial Church’s outreach ministry partners with the community to do this work,” Potts said, praising Pastor Derrick L. Perkins and musical director Larry Kent for “tremendous support.”
Friday, June 15 is sort of an opening night from 5-7 p.m., with a few guest speakers like Alderman Kennedy. Saturday, June 16 is the big show with activities scheduled from 1-7 p.m. Sunday, June 17 is the Father’s Day Tribute and worship service.
The Fountain Park Neighborhood is bounded by Martin Luther King on the north, Delmar on the south, Walton on the east, and Kingshighway on the west. For information, contact Clint Potts, Chairman, Neighbors of Fountain Park at 314-443-4081 or cpottssped@yahoo.com.
