East St. Louis showcased its rich history with the East St. Louis Heritage Festival on Sunday, August 26 at the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Center in East St. Louis, presented by the City of East St. Louis, Governor’s Office of the Illinois Bicentennial, and Ameren Illinois.
“It’s very special,” East St. Louis Mayor Emeka Jackson-Hicks said. “It’s an opportunity for the city to partner with our corporate citizens Ameren and also to partner with the state. We’ve been doing a lot of events like this to bring back a sense of community again in East St. Louis.”
The festival coincided with the bicentennial celebration to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the signing of the first Illinois Constitution in Kaskaskia. Illinois adopted its constitution on August 26, 1818.
Terrence Hill, acting director of Community Initiatives for the Illinois Bicentennial Commission, presented a $10,000 check to the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Center.
“I just want to take this opportunity to say thank you,” Joyner-Kersee said. “I want to thank Ameren Illinois, the State of Illinois, all the vendors who have come out and the City of East St. Louis.”
The festival features a mix of presentations and exhibits focusing on the historic past and talent from East St. Louis – and Egypt.
Norman Ross represented a mobile exhibit titled “The Origin and Dynastic Chronology of Ancient Kemet (Egypt).” It broke down the four periods of ancient Egypt – Old Kingdom, Middle Kingdom, New kingdom and Late Kingdom – and showcased the kings, artifacts and inventions in those times.
“In a lot of ways we can use ancient African history as a paradigm to rebuild and redevelop African-American impoverished communities,” Ross said.
East St. Louis Poet Laureate Eugene B. Redmond presented the exhibit “East St. Love Legacy,” featuring many renowned individuals from the city. Other interactive pieces included murals, magazines, album covers, paintings, photographs and other memorabilia. The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis hosted a Health Unit along with BJC HealthCare/Belleville Memorial Hospital and St. Louis Children’s Hospital.
The festival also featured live entertainment, including a tribute to Miles Davis – who was born in Alton and raised in East St. Louis – by the Bosman Twins.
“We are showcasing a nostalgic walk down memory lane,” said Charlotte Ottley, Heritage Festival coordinator, “with exhibits rarely publicized and shared with an appreciative audience.”
