Missouri City Foundation to Host Juneteenth Events

Missouri City's annual Juneteenth celebration, dubbed the largest in the nation, began more than six years ago through the efforts of Don Smith.

Smith, a former City Council member, said he attended many functions in the area when he was on City Council.

“As I continued to attend these events, I found there were no events geared for African-Americans,” he said. “My son was involved in high school sports, and we were always contributing to the booster clubs.”

The booster clubs of Marshall and Willowridge High schools continue to be recipients of donations from the Juneteenth celebration.

“We like to contribute at least a minimum of $500 to each school,” Smith said. “It is my hope to have that contribution grow continually.”

The celebration started off with a golf tournament June 9 at Sienna. Smith said approximately 80 golfers were paired with elected officials and city stakeholders. He said former players of the Houston Oilers also played.

The Freedom Tree dramatization will be held today under the 200-year-old oak tree in Freedom Tree Park in Lake Olympia. Beginning at 9:15 am, performances will commemorate blacks who helped to settle Texas.

“We hope to have many day cares attend so we can teach children some of the history,” Smith said. “When the performances are over, all the children and other spectators will go to the park and enjoy hot dogs and exhibits until 4 p.m.”

If there is any food left over, Smith said it will be taken to the Boys & Girls Clubs.

Tonight's event is what Smith calls his favorite part of the celebration.

Held at the Sugar Land Marriott Town Square, former U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige will be the featured speaker at the Community Service Awards Dinner.

Several community leaders will be honored at the dinner for making significant contributions to the community.

“We will also be rewarding four $2,500 scholarships,” Smith said. “I am going to let these youths know they have to continue to work for this scholarship. We are not just going to give them the money and say good-bye. We expect them to give back to the community and go to school and do well.”

Smith, 64, said his objective is to have at least $50,000 in the scholarship program.

“This year,” Smith said, “it is our goal to focus on youth activities that build character. We will seek internships for the students who are awarded these scholarships. Our youth no longer live in traditional environments. It truly takes a village to raise a child. We are all responsible for the success of the next generation.”

A three-on-three basketball tournament is scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday.

Smith said it has been a long time since he has stepped onto a basketball court so he will be sitting out of the tournament, which will include Rockets players and Missouri City officials. The basketball battle will take place at Hunters Glen Park, 1340 Independence Blvd.

On Saturday, the Juneteenth Festival will be at Hunters Glen Park from 10 a.m.-11 p.m. The music festival will be 6-11 p.m., and the “One Mile of Smiles” parade will begin at 5 p.m. at Wells Fargo Bank, 2440 Texas Parkway.

“I knew when I started this event it would become something big,”Smith said. “I know it is said to be the largest Juneteenth celebration in the United States, but I want to make sure it is.”