Members of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity perfvormed a step routine in front of the judges stand at the JuneteenthKC 2021 Cultural Parade Saturday, June 12, 2021 in the Historic Jazz District near 18th and Vine.
SUSAN PFANNMULLER
Susan Pfannmuller Special to The Star
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Kansas Citians lined the sidewalks for the annual JuneteenthKC Parade Saturday afternoon.
Members of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity perfvormed a step routine in front of the judges stand at the JuneteenthKC 2021 Cultural Parade Saturday, June 12, 2021 in the Historic Jazz District near 18th and Vine. SUSAN PFANNMULLER Susan Pfannmuller Special to The Star
The parade started at Grove Park and ended in the 18th and Vine District. The sound of drums dominated the air as the Gateway Highsteppers Drill Team, based in Kansas City, Kansas, came through. Along the sidewalk, a child held still as an artist painted her face.
Entries passed by during the JuneteenthKC 2021 Cultural Parade Saturday, June 12, 2021 in the Historic Jazz District near 18th and Vine. SUSAN PFANNMULLER Susan Pfannmuller Special to The Star
Glenda Bushnell was there with her son Travis Cal, his 6-year-old nephew “little Ryan,” and family friend Billy Donnell.
Bushnell used to bring Cal when he was a kid and Saturday felt nostalgic, she said. Cal said the best part for him was getting to truly appreciate the celebration as an adult.
Riders with Bikes Up Guns Down rode past the judges stand at the JuneteenthKC 2021 Cultural Parade Saturday, June 12, 2021 in the Historic Jazz District near 18th and Vine. SUSAN PFANNMULLER Susan Pfannmuller Special to The Star
Juneteenth commemorates the freedom of enslaved people. It’s the oldest national celebration commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. Two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued, Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865, with news that the enslaved were free. It’s also know as Freedom Day.
“We’ve come a long way and have got so much further to go. It saddens me because I don’t think in my lifetime I’m going to see that true emancipation, that true freedom that he might get to enjoy,” Bushnell said, pointing to little Ryan who was scooping purple snow cone into his mouth.
Amani Tinnin, 11, a member of the Reign KC Dance Corp used her pompoms for some shade before the Juneteenth KC 2021 Cultural Parade Saturday, June 12, 2021 in the Historic Jazz District near 18th and Vine. SUSAN PFANNMULLER Susan Pfannmuller Special to The Star
A Heritage Festival is scheduled for next Saturday, Juneteenth, from noon to 9 p.m.
Here are some more photos of the parade:
Pebbles Edwards enjoyed the JuneteenthKC 2021 Cultural Parade Saturday, June 12, 2021 in the Historic Jazz District near 18th and Vine. SUSAN PFANNMULLER Susan Pfannmuller Special to The Star
Dancers with Reign KC performed in front of the judges stand at the JuneteenthKC 2021 Cultural Parade Saturday, June 12, 2021 in the Historic Jazz District near 18th and Vine. SUSAN PFANNMULLER Susan Pfannmuller Special to The Star
Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas danced with Teresa Mc Daniel at the JuneteenthKC 2021 Cultural Parade Saturday, June 12, 2021 in the Historic Jazz District near 18th and Vine. SUSAN PFANNMULLER Susan Pfannmuller Special to The Star
A rider with Bikes Up Guns Down rode past the judges stand at the JuneteenthKC 2021 Cultural Parade Saturday, June 12, 2021 in the Historic Jazz District near 18th and Vine. SUSAN PFANNMULLER Susan Pfannmuller Special to The Star
Parade participants passed by chalk art during the JuneteenthKC 2021 Cultural Parade Saturday, June 12, 2021 in the Historic Jazz District near 18th and Vine. SUSAN PFANNMULLER Susan Pfannmuller Special to The Star
This story was originally published June 12, 2021 at 4:25 PM.
Cortlynn Stark writes about finance and the economy for The Sum. She is a Certified Financial Education Instructor℠ with the National Financial Educators Council. She previously covered City Hall for The Kansas City Star and joined The Star in January 2020 as a breaking news reporter. Cortlynn studied journalism and Spanish at Missouri State University.
