The Missouri City Juneteenth Celebration Foundation (MCJCF) has hosted an annual event with a week’s worth of activities since 2002, and this year is no exception.
The partnership between Missouri City and the MCJCF allows for all citizens to participate in fun activities, honor community leaders and raise scholarship funds for deserving Fort Bend County students.
The MCJCF’s planned events and activities are set to “kick-off” on June 9th and will run through June 18th, with most events free and open to the general public. Thousands of attendees and participants are again expected to join in the citywide celebration of Juneteenth in Missouri City. Juneteenth is celebrated each year to commemorate the announcement of the abolition of slavery in Texas in June, 1865.
“Last year was one of our biggest and best celebrations to date, and we anticipate this year’s celebration will be even better,” states Derrick Woods, MCJCF Executive Director. “Our goal remains to commemorate the Emancipation Proclamation, by raising the cultural awareness on the many great influences African Americans have made to our nation, while raising funds to assist several charitable organizations and provide college scholarships.”
For the second year in a row, this year’s celebration will include an art exhibit and cultural performances that will feature internationally known artist Carolyn Crump, regional and local artists and local choirs.
Over the course of five days, families may enjoy a number of additional activities. The Missouri City Juneteenth Celebration line-up is as follows:
- Stakeholders VIP Kick-Off Reception: From 6 – 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 9, at Freedom Tree Park (Lake Olympia), 4303 Freedom Tree Drive, MCJCF will host the VIP “Kick-Off” Reception (by invitation only). Beverages and delicacies will be served. Artwork by local and regional artists will be displayed under the Freedom Tree.
- Annual Scholarship Golf Tournament and Luncheon: On Monday, June 13, the annual Scholarship Golf Tournament and Luncheon will be held at the Quail Valley Golf Course, 2880 La Quinta Dr. Registration will begin at 7 a.m., and shotgun start at 8 a.m.
- “It Takes A Village” Art Exhibit and Cultural Performances: On Friday, June 17, this year’s art exhibit and cultural performances will be held at the newly renovated Missouri City Community Center located at 1522 Texas Parkway in the City Hall Complex. The reception will begin at 6 p.m. and the art exhibit will begin at 7 p.m.
- Family Fun Day in the Park: At 6 p.m. on Friday, June 17, the annual Family Fun Day will be held at Hunters Glen Park, 1340 Independence with plenty of family-friendly activities and games. A movie will be shown at dusk. There will be a DJ, face painting and games. Admission is free and open to the general public.
- Juneteenth Annual “One Mile of Smiles” Parade: On Saturday, June 18 at 7 p.m., the parade will begin on Texas Parkway (FM 2234) and Court Road and end at Hunters Glen Park, 1340 Independence Blvd. Texas Parkway will be closed from 5 – 8 p.m. There will be marching bands, floats and VIP’s. Awards will be given to the Best Theme, Best Float and Best Marching Group. The event is open to the general public. Interested participants can find more information at www.mcjcf.com.
- Battle of the Bands: Following the parade, the annual Battle will take place at Hunters Glen Park, 1340 Independence, Saturday, June 18. Each year, the Battle of the Bands hosts local youth in high school bands from the surrounding area to compete for prizes and musical accolades.
- Juneteenth “Festival Under the Stars” Hunter’s Glen Park. 1340 Independence. Saturday, June 18th
One of the marquee events is always the MCJCF Annual Community Service Awards Gala that will take place this year on Thursday, June 16th at the City Centre at Quail Valley, 2880 La Quinta Dr. Fort Bend Independent School District students and students enrolled in nation-wide colleges and universities will be presented with scholarships from earnings in the annual Scholarship Golf Tournament. The Keynote Speaker will be Kevin Carr — Founder, CEO and Principal of PRO2CEO. Most recently, Kevin served 13 years as Vice President of Social Responsibility and Player Program for the NBA and the NBA Developmental League.
This year’s prestigious honorees are our very own Forward Times Associate Editor and radio personality Jeffrey L. Boney; Clarence “Doc” Holliday (NAACP President, Missouri City & Vicinity Chapter) and James Fisher (Director, Knowledge First Learning Academy).
“The MCJCF was originated to bring scholarships and support to the community,” said MCJCF Board Chairman and Missouri City Mayor Pro Tem Don Smith. “We have raised $200,000 for scholarships in the last six years by hosting the annual MCJCF Golf Tournament. The Foundation has brought positive attention to African Americans in the Missouri City/Fort Bend area by recognizing leaders within the community for their great service.”
Celebration supporters to date include presenting sponsors AT&T and Fiesta Mart, along with Wells Fargo, CenterPoint Energy, H.E.B., Sienna-Johnson Development, Rooms To Go Foundation, WCA, Primeway Federal Credit Union and media partners Jamsource Magazine, D-Mars, the Missouri City News Online and the Fort Bend Independent along with community partner, the City of Missouri City and many other local and national corporations who also proudly support our collective efforts.
For more information, visit www.mcjcf.com.