A ribbon cutting was held for the improvements made so far to the playground equipment at Laura Leake Park during the Juneteenth celebration in Centralia on Saturday.
A large crowd gathered for the annual event that included vendors, informational booths, music, and bouncy houses.
Centralia Mayor Bryan Kuder opened the event by reading a proclamation declaring Monday as Juneteenth Day in Centralia.
“Urging all citizens to further promote the freedom and equity of all.”
Centralia Mayor Bryan Kuder presents Juneteenth proclamation to the celebration committee. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
The chair of the Juneteenth celebration Mayala Downey noted the three prongs of the celebration: economic development, community development, and fellowship.
“Economic development you are surrounded by a ton of small businesses. Shop local. Community development, this year we decided to take all benefits and proceeds that we have left over and donate back to Laura Leeke Park and work with the city to put some improvements here now.”
The Centralia Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting followed for the new playground equipment and accepting an $8,000 check from Walmart to go for further park improvements.
Centralia Economic Development Director Derek Sherman explains the work done so far.
“Repainted the backboards and rims at the basketball court. Redid the bathrooms and painted them with new fixtures. We added a new merry-go-round. The old was one damaged last year and we got a new one that should be good for quite a while. We also painted the swing sets and added new benches and trash cans that are fresh powder coating that should last better than the wood ones that were out here. And we will be adding a teeter-totter that can seat 4 kids.”
Sherman says it will be up to the Juneteenth Committee to help determine how the funds raised from the event and the Walmart donation will be utilized.
Some of the many booths set up by businesses and community organizations. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
Schnucks large shopping cart. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
Bouncy houses provided entertainment for the young people. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
