Juneteenth

This year’s holiday marks the 160th anniversary of the announcement in Texas that enslaved people were free. Attendees at the Griot Museum and the Juneteenth parade and festival in Dellwood said the holiday is an opportunity to remember African American history, spend time with family and celebrate joy.

Simone Faure, pastry designer and co-owner of La Pâtisserie Chouquette in St. Louis, talks about the distinct cultural histories of items on her Juneteenth celebration menu this year.

Juneteenth celebrations across the St. Louis region kicked off earlier this week. Here’s where you can observe the federal holiday in St. Louis, St. Louis County and the Metro East.

The route ended at the Collinsville Juneteenth Festival, a block party outside Old Herald Brewery and Distillery with food vendors, retailers and other groups.

A parade in Dellwood, other community events Monday culminated “Five Days of Joy” marking Juneteenth.

The celebration started with a conversation among elected officials on how to work together to solve problems and will continue through Monday with free concerts, movie showings and a parade.

For nine years, the St. Louis Story Stitchers have told stories from their lives using rap, rhythm, spoken word, singing and dance. They’ll perform at several events recognizing Juneteenth this weekend.

A coalition of over 25 local community organizations are asking St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones to map out to repair the damage caused by decades of institutionalized racism.

The minimum wage will increase to $12 an hour, FOID card renewals will be streamlined and public colleges and universities won’t be able to require standardized tests for admission.

On Tuesday, the Missouri History Museum and Opera Theatre of St. Louis presented “I Dream a World: A Celebration of Juneteenth” in commemoration of the day when people who’d been enslaved in Texas belatedly learned of their emancipation.