Mary Meachum Festival

This event is free.

Lets meet between 12:30 and 12:45. First show is at 1pm. We’ll plan to attend that show.

Directions: I-70 to Adelaide Ave, East to river, South on Hall, Left on Prairie to parking area.

"After slavery, the Black migration out of the south followed the Mississippi River, bringing with it rich musical history. Black music has always reflected the feelings of joy, blues and their inner lives. Field Hollas will become the blues, ragtime to jazz that will influence music around the world. This year marks the 50th anniversary of Hip Hop. Lil D. J. Kool Herc couldn’t have imagined he was starting a movement that would sweep the world. This year’s re-enactment includes music from various eras, introduced by skits showcasing what was the historical background taking place in the Black communities in St. Louis at each time." from https://greatriversgreenway.org/mary-meachum/

When I find more information I'll post the time of the re-enactment - I think that is what most of us will like to see. I'm also not sure at this time where we meet.

This is an annual festival in honor of Mary Meachum:
"Mary Meachum (1801–1869) and her husband, Reverend John Berry Meachum, were American abolitionists who dedicated their lives to educating and freeing enslaved people. Reverend Meachum grew up enslaved in Virginia and Kentucky before earning enough money to purchase his freedom. Before leaving Kentucky, he met Mary – an enslaved woman who was set to be moved by her enslavers to St. Louis. John followed Mary to St. Louis where he bought her freedom and eventually established the First African Baptist Church, the first Black congregation in St. Louis." from https://greatriversgreenway.org/mary-meachum/ (if you went on the African-Americans in Bellefontaine Cemetery tour, you have been by John Meachum's gravesite).