Juneteenth Celebration Includes Parade, Prayer Service

Several people walk in the Juneteenth Parade on Shawnee's Main Street, June 18. This was the second year that Juneteenth was a federal holiday, although it has been celebrated since 1866. This year's celebration also included a prayer service, history presentation, domino competition, storytelling, and a program that included musical performances, a fashion show, and speakers. Shawnee Forward also worked with the Dunbar Heights Community to hold a Pickleball Tournament at OBU.
Shawnee City Commission Ward 5 candidate Joey Ward, far right, and his wife, Stacy Ward, far left, walk Corgis Daphne and Sparky, as their daughter, Kaitlin Gonzalez, pushes a stroller in the Juneteenth Parade in downtown Shawnee on June 18.
A float for District Judge candidate Traci Soderstrom pumps out bubbles as family and friends of Soderstrom hand out information, bottled water and candy during the Juneteenth Parade in downtown Shawnee on June 18.
A float for District Judge candidate Traci Soderstrom pumps out bubbles as family and friends of Soderstrom hand out information, bottled water and candy during the Juneteenth Parade in downtown Shawnee on June 18.
Juneteenth Parade
Shawnee Mayor Ed Bolt reads a proclamation for Juneteenth during the Juneteenth Prayer Service, held at the pavilion on Bell and 7th streets, in Shawnee, June 18. Standing by him is Timmy Young, President of the Dunbar Heights Community. Also shown are pastors Joe Wilkes, David Henry, and Vincent Roland. This was the second year that Juneteenth was a federal holiday, although it has been celebrated since 1866.
Pastor C.I. Prevost leads a prayer for the media and educators during the Juneteenth Prayer Service, held at the pavilion on Bell and 7th streets, in Shawnee, June 18. Five other pastors from the area, standing behind him, also led prayers for community leaders and other topics. They are, from left, Joe Wilkes, David Henry, Vincent Roland, Darryl K. Fields, and Anthony P. Rhone.
Pastor C.I. Prevost leads a prayer for the media and educators during the Juneteenth Prayer Service, held at the pavilion on Bell and 7th streets, in Shawnee, June 18. Five other pastors from the area, standing behind him, also led prayers for community leaders and other topics. They are, from left, Joe Wilkes, David Henry, Vincent Roland, Darryl K. Fields, and Anthony P. Rhone.
Pastor Anthony P. Rhone leads a prayer for government leaders during the Juneteenth Prayer Service, held at the pavilion on Bell and 7th streets, in Shawnee, June 18. Five other pastors from the community also prayed for the military, media and education, church, family and the justice system.
Juneteenth Prayer Service
Pastor Joe Wilkes leads a prayer for the military.
Pastor Vincent Roland leads a prayer for the church.
Juneteenth Prayer Service
Pastor David Henry leads a prayer for the justice system.
Dunbar Heights Community President Timmy Young speaks at the Juneteenth Prayer Service.
Dunbar Heights Community President Timmy Young speaks at the Juneteenth Prayer Service.
Traci Soderstrom
Joey Ward
Cami Engles
Daniel Matthews
Travis Flood
Mayor Ed Bolt, Pastor Darryl Fields
Mayor Ed Bolt, Pastor Darryl Fields

Photos by Countywide & Sun/ Natasha Dunagan

Several people walk in the Juneteenth Parade on Shawnee’s Main Street, June 18. This was the second year that Juneteenth was a federal holiday, although it has been celebrated since 1866. This year’s celebration also included a prayer service, history presentation, domino competition, storytelling, and a program that included musical performances, a fashion show, and speakers. Shawnee Forward also worked with the Dunbar Heights Community to hold a Pickleball Tournament at OBU.

Shawnee Mayor Ed Bolt reads a proclamation for Juneteenth during the Juneteenth Prayer Service, held at the pavilion on Bell and 7th streets, in Shawnee, June 18. Standing by him is Timmy Young, President of the Dunbar Heights Community. Also shown are pastors Joe Wilkes, David Henry, and Vincent Roland. This was the second year that Juneteenth was a federal holiday, although it has been celebrated since 1866.

Pastor C.I. Prevost leads a prayer for the media and educators during the Juneteenth Prayer Service, held at the pavilion on Bell and 7th streets, in Shawnee, June 18. Five other pastors from the area, standing behind him, also led prayers for community leaders and other topics. They are, from left, Joe Wilkes, David Henry, Vincent Roland, Darryl K. Fields, and Anthony P. Rhone.