FORT PIERCE - The St. Lucie County Cultural Affairs Council has extended its Juneteenth celebration with a variety of activities June 19 - 21, by adding an additional day of events on June 28. The celebration includes storytellers, drumming, lectures, poetry reading, interpretive dancing and more. Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States.

Activities are as follows:

Thursday, June 19

· Master African Drumming Workshop and "Griot" Storytelling from 1 - 3 p.m. at the Boys & Girls Club, 3100 Ave. E, Fort Pierce. A "Griot" is a poet/praise singer, who keeps and passes on African history through oral traditions.

· Master African Drumming Workshop and "Griot" Storytelling from 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. at Lincoln Park Main Street, Avenue D & 13th Street Plaza, Fort Pierce.

· Cee Cee Lyle Sculpture from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. at 600 North Indian River Drive, Fort Pierce. This will be a Libation Ceremony honoring our heroes and ancestors lost at sea. Attendees will have the opportunity to call out the names of their loved ones.

· Uncrowned Kings and Queens, Honoring 26 Local Unsung Legends from 7-9 p.m. at the Lincoln Park Community Center, 1306 Avenue M, Fort Pierce. At this event, 26 local heroes will be paired with local children to mentor them throughout their lives. Refreshments will be served and plaques will be presented to the legends. To reserve a spot, call (772) 462-1788.

Friday, June 20

· St. Lucie County Historical Museum, located at 414 Seaway Drive, Fort Pierce, offers free admission all day.

· WOW2 - With Out Walls 2 - Art Walk starting at 11 a.m. at Melody Square, Downtown Fort Pierce. Families, children, students and adults are invited to stop at the Fort Pierce Library waterfront area to see and hear about the six public art pieces along the plaza.

· Summer Camp Youth Day from 1 - 5 p.m. at the St. Lucie County Historical Museum. This event will include stations for at least 200 children to tour the Historical Museum, the Marine Center, view the five works of public art, learn drumming under the large pavilion, learn about the African art from the sculptors that is currently on display and enjoy African storytelling. Fort Pierce Central High School Percussion Team will assist with the drumming workshop located in the pavilion adjacent to the St. Lucie County Historical Museum.

· Rent Party from 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. at the St, Lucie County Historical Museum, 414 Seaway Drive, Fort Pierce. Rent parties came into vogue in the 1930s in Harlem, N.Y., when artists, authors, musicians would help each other out by having a party and contribute towards the host's rent.Similar to a potluck dinner, the public is invited to come to the rent party and bring contributions of prepared food from supermarkets or takeout restaurants to share with the community. The Boys and Girls Club Drumline will perform during the rent party.Robin Poyner, Yaw Owusu-Hassan Osayin Shangofemi, Onabamiero Ogunleye and Ade Offuniyin will also attend and provide listeners with stories and history of Western Africa. The Historical Museum will be open during the party. To reserve a spot, call (772) 462-1767.

Saturday, June 21

· Neighborhood Reunion throughout the day at Avenue Q and 14 th Street, Fort Pierce. Celebrate and catch up with neighbors as you share food and fun from local vendors.

· Bishop Joe Simon in concert at 7:30 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, Orange Avenue, Fort Pierce. This gospel concert featuring the Avenue D Boys Choir is free, but donations are requested. For details call (772) 342-6317.

Saturday, June 28

All events will be held at the Lincoln Park Community Center, 1306 Avenue M, Fort Pierce from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

· Opening Ceremony performance by Mount Bethel Worship Center Band and Gospel Singer Vernon (Big Boy) Williams at 10 a.m.

· WQCS 88.9 FM Oral History Project with Janie Gould will record oral history from local residents from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Participants will receive a free CD.

· Master of Ceremony's presentation on "Why Are We Here?" and "Juneteenth Historical Significance" at 10:30 a.m.

· Helen Abbott Theatre Performers at 11 a.m. Under the direction of Brenda Cooper, children will present an eclectic program that includes poetry, dance and readings of the Emancipation Proclamation. A young man will portray Abraham Lincoln sharing his thoughts regarding the freedom of the slaves.

· Youth Gospel Choir Competition from noon - 1:30 p.m. Drumming "Griots" will perform on stage with the youth from the Friday workshops and Bratz and Harmony Steppers will perform.

· Games and other activities will be held for children and adults all afternoon.

· "Real Men Don't Need No Recipes" Cooking Contest starts at 8:30 a.m. The contest winner will be announced at 11:30 a.m. and the winner will receive bragging rights for a year and a 3-foot trophy.

For more details about the St. Lucie County Cultural Affairs Council's "Juneteenth" events, call (772) 462-1767 or visit: www.stlucieco.gov.

Residents are encouraged to donate canned goods to the Treasure Coast Food Bank during the week of June 16-21, as part of the "Juneteenth" celebration. The donations will be collected at the St. Lucie County Historical Museum, 414 Seaway Drive, Fort Pierce.

These programs are sponsored by Buffalo Soldiers Bikers, Lincoln Park Community Center, African-American History Society, George & Associates Contractors, Sarah's Memorial Chapel, Toby Philpart, Bling Magazine, Inc., City of Fort Pierce, Fort Pierce Redevelopment Agency, St. Lucie Children's Services Council, St. Lucie Historical Museum, St. Lucie County Cultural Affairs and Winn-Dixie - Fort Pierce.

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