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Columbia celebrates history, one another with Juneteenth parade

By Charles Dunlap, Columbia Daily Tribune USA Today Network via Reuters Connect

Updated June 21, 2026 4:10 AM

Miss Boone County Colleen Finney smiles and waves June 20, 2026 during the annual Junteenth parade in downtown Columbia. She was first runner-up in the recent Miss Missouri contest and is a University of Missouri graduate. Charles Dunlap/Columbia Daily Tr USA TODAY Network, Reuters

The annual Juneteenth parade in Columbia on Saturday morning, June 20, brought out a variety of groups and people.

Led by public safety departments, the parade soon shifted to welcome Miss Boone County Colleen Finney. She was named first runner-up at Miss Missouri Pageant held in Mexico, Missouri on June 13. Originally from Columbia, South Carolina, Finney is a 2024 graduate of the University of Missouri.

The parade also welcomed elected officials, political parties, support groups, advocacy groups, educational institutions, churches, youth sports teams, dance troupes and more.

Flags were waved, bubbles were blown and frozen ice pops were passed out, along with candy and informational items from the various participating groups.

This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Columbia celebrates history, one another with Juneteenth parade

Reporting by Charles Dunlap, Columbia Daily Tribune / Columbia Daily Tribune

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Copyright Reuters or USA Today Network via Reuters Connect

This story was originally published June 21, 2026 at 3:46 AM.

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