Springfield Park Day Reunion 2008 Schedule of Events

BlackMissouri.com spoke with James “Lee Lee” Pike today regarding the 2008 Springfield Park Day Annual Reunion that will be held August 1, 2, and 3 2008 in Springfield, Missouri. 

For those who do not know, Park Day traditionally takes place the first weekend in August.  It is not just one day as the name suggests, but rather three full days of events, fun, seeing old friends and meeting new ones.  The event started as a result of the flight of the Black population from Springfield following the 1906 lynching of three black men in which the Springfield police were founded to be culpably responsible for their murders.  At one point, Springfield’s black population was 35% of the total population but it dwindled down to 3% to 4% almost overnight where it stays to this day.

I spoke with Lee  Pike, who has been the President of the Springfield Reunion Club for more than 20 years.  He said that there are many activities for everyone.  See the schedule below.

Mr. Pike says that he is the youngest person on the committee and is looking for some young people to come on board so that he can mentor on keeping this tradition alive.