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The entire community is invited to
JOIN the celebration!
Watch over 100 parade entries marching into the heart of the 18th & Vine Historic Jazz District.
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Parade
Rallying Blocks
18th & Vine to 18th & Highland
18th & Highland to 18th & Woodland
18th & Woodland to 18th & Michigan
18th & Michigan to 18th & Euclid
Parade
Honorary Judges
Pat Clark, Gregg James, Toni Talley,
Shay Moore & Terrell Ray
JuneteenthKC is proud to present the
7th Annual Juneteenth Cultural Parade
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Saturday, June 1st
STARTING AT NOON
Pre-Parade Show 11:00-11:45 AM
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Hosted by
Special performances by the Zulu Connection Stilt Dancers from
New Orleans, LA
Parade Entry Fees
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$50 | Community Organizations
$75 | Nonprofit Organizations
$100 | Small Business
$150 | Corporations​
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All entries must be received no later than May 15th.
No exceptions will be made.
2024 Award Categories
Drill & Danceteams (Top 3)
1st $500.00 & Large Trophy
2nd $250.00 & Large Trophy
3rd $150.00 & Plaque
Best Float
$500.00 & Plaque
Best Fraternal Organization
$250.00 & Plaque
Best Motor/Car Club
$100.00 & Plaque
Best Business/Organization
$100.00 & Plaque
Juneteenth Flag
The Juneteenth flag was created in 1977 by activist Ben Haith, founder of the National Juneteenth Celebration Foundation, with the help of illustrator Lisa Jeanna Graf. The deliberate process of designing the flag, which is brimming with symbols of the day’s meaning, has made it an integral component of the holiday.
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The flag was revised in 2000 into the version we know today, according to the National Juneteenth Observation Foundation. Seven years later, the date “June 19, 1865” was added, commemorating the day that Union Army Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger rode into Galveston, Texas, and told enslaved African Americans of their emancipation.
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Deliberately consisting of a red, white, and blue color scheme just like the American flag, the Juneteenth flag has a white star in the center, meant to represent both Texas (the Lone Star State), as well as the freedom of enslaved people in all 50 states. In that same vein, the white bursting outline surrounding the star is said to have been inspired by a nova, which is an astronomical event that marks the birth of a new star—in this instance symbolizing a new beginning for African Americans in the United States.
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The arc that extends across the width of the flag, at the intersection of the red and blue sections, is yet another symbol of a new beginning, or rather, a new horizon. The red, white, and blue color scheme that mimics that of the American flag was a conscious choice, meant to connote that enslaved people (who were not granted citizenships) and their descendants were and always have been Americans, as well as signifying the United States’ continued responsibility to do right by those affected by the continued injustices faced by Black Americans that are still yet to be fully dismantled.
PARTICIPANT FAQs
How will you showcase your freedom?
Parade Floats—Tips for Inexpensive Parade Float Ideas – Ultimate DIY Guide
https://www.sengerson.com/entertaining/decorate-parade-float/
Parade Banners—Banners are the easiest and best way to have your business identified during a parade. Banners are usually held by a couple of people or strung along the side of a vehicle.
Parade Signs—Signs are a great and useful tool for getting your name out there for not much money. Signs can be small enough for a child to hold, or as large as taking up the back of a truck.
Vehicle Decals—Create flashy and eye-catching vehicle decals to plaster all over displaying exactly what your business does and how it can help people with particular problems.
ASK FOR HELP— Use resources like brand managers, promotional consultants to come up with a solution to your parade needs! Take it a step further and ask for SPONSORSHIP. We want you to come out of the parade assured that you had a blast and improved the visibility of your business at the same time.
TIPS FROM THE PARADE COMMITTEE:
MAKE SURE YOUR GROUP’S LOOK IS COHESIVE—Wear branded apparel like shirts, hats, sunglasses, shoelaces, socks and use banners to get your message across! Get People's Attention—Think bright colors, loud, highly visible, large or unusual!
PICK A PRODUCT THAT HAS TO DO WITH YOUR ORGANIZATION—Think about your colors, your mascot, the needs of your customers or community, the type of business you operate. Choose something relevant to your work and that you want people to have!
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Ex: Religious Tracts—Many churches or religious organizations take this time to pass out religious tracts showing the way to salvation. If you do this, don't be pushy about it or try to go through the tract with the person right there. Simply hand it out and keep walking. If they are interested, they will read it. Place a sticker with your organization's name, address and phone number on the tract so they can contact you for further information.
PICK SOMETHING THAT HAS TO DO WITH THE EVENT—Stick with the theme and the colors of the event to get instant use out of the product. Think cultural patterns, colors, shapes, and designs.
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Ex: Flags—Hand out small RBG flags during the parade. Don't give more than one to each person or you may run out. Passing them out near the beginning of the parade route allows the attendees to wave them throughout the rest of the parade.
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PICK SOMETHING THAT WOULD BE APPRECIATED AT THE PARADE—Is it going to be hot? How about something that cools you down like a cooling neck wrap, beverage koozie, visor, or fan? Raining? Ponchos or Umbrellas. Dry and windy? Lip Balm! Bright? Sunglasses! If it goes into use immediately, there are a bunch of people there to see it right away and advertise for YOU at the parade.
PICK SOMETHING THAT HAS UTILITY—And that people don’t already have or need more of. Think tools, first aid, flashlights, key rings, hygiene products, etc. PICK SOMETHING THAT WILL BE SEEN REPEATEDLY—Pick a product that the person will look at over and over, like mouse pads, bags, calendars, pens, office accessories, and apparel.
PICK SOMETHING THAT YOU CAN USE AGAIN FOR SOMETHING ELSE—Do you go to trade shows, have your own events, regularly give your customer’s gifts or the like? Buying in larger quantities will save you money in the long run!
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Candy—Purchase large bags of candy to hand out during the parade route. Individually wrapped candies are best, so you don't pass germs around and so children can pick up the ones that land on the ground. Lollipops, gum and mints are perfect. Small Toys—You can purchase small toys in bulk from online retailers or catalogs. Items like bouncy balls, slinkies and tiny animals are perfect.
ENLIST FRIENDS IN THE PARADE TO HAND OUT YOUR STUFF—At the parade, most of the people on the floats are going to be handing out generic, unbranded items. If you have more than you need, get other folks to hand out your product for you! They will more than likely be happy just to have more stuff to hand out. With everything being distributed along the parade round, parade-goers rarely know who handed them something, which is why it is so much better for any items you distribute to have your logo and contact info on it.
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MAKE SURE YOUR INFORMATION IS INTRIGUING AND THEY CAN FIND OUT MORE ABOUT YOU—Make sure that there is enough info on your product to spark interest and enable contact. You need your logo, what you do in very few words and website or phone #. Don’t overwhelm with text, but get them curious!
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Ex: Business Pamphlets—If you are promoting a business or organization in the parade, put together a small pamphlet or flier. You can hand them out as you walk the parade route. Make it a magnet or tape a piece of candy to the back so people won't just toss it in the garbage. Include a coupon for your business to bring new patrons in.