A COMMUNITY’S CELEBRATION OF JUNETEENTH: STORYTELLING AND MUSIC

The communities of Arrow Rock and Fayette, Missouri are joining together to commemorate and celebrate Juneteenth 2023. 

Fayette’s celebration, “United We Stand, Rooted in Unity” is June 14-18 with a variety of events, including a gospel concert and a performance of the short play Voices of Arrow Rock, Her Name, on Friday, June 16 at 6:30pm on the Fayette Courthouse Lawn. This play focuses on Howard County native son Frank Switzler’s conversation with his wife Adeline as they welcome their youngest child on June 22, 1884 in Arrow Rock. They debate why they name her for the woman who enslaved them. 

For a detailed schedule of Fayette Juneteenth events, visit their Facebook page, Juneteenth Celebration-Fayette 

Arrow Rock’s Day of Learning is Saturday, June 24. The day’s events start with coffee at 10am at the Arrow Rock Coffee Company on Main Street, followed by tours of historic buildings related to the Switzler family, a performance by the Fayette Community Choir, presentation by Dr. Tex Sample, and a dessert reception. Dr. Tex Sample is a storyteller, author, and Professor Emeritus of Church and Society at the St. Paul School of Theology, a United Methodist seminary in Kansas City, Missouri. The Choir is primarily made up of members of the St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Fayette.

Schedule of Arrow Rock Juneteenth events
10 – 10:30am Welcome and Coffee at Arrow Rock Coffee Company
10:30am – noon Tour of historic buildings throughout the village
Noon – 1:30pm Lunch on your own*
2 – 3pm Dr. Tex Sample presentation and Fayette Community Choir performance at the Arrow Rock Federated Church
3 – 4pm Dessert Reception at Brown’s Chapel 

* The J. Huston Tavern and Catalpa Restaurant will be serving lunch