The Missouri Humanities Council will host a screening of Together Apart, The Park Day Reunion Film Documentary June 22 at the Moxie.

Since the early 70s, the Park Day Reunion Celebration has been a vital reconnection point for Springfield’s African American community. Held each summer on the first weekend of August at historic Silver Springs Park, the event draws travelers from across the United States—many of whom trace their roots back to Springfield, Missouri. It is a multi-day reunion featuring music, performances, a parade, fashion shows, and a car show.

The origins of this annual gathering reach back to a time of segregation, when Silver Springs was the only park in Springfield where African American children and families were allowed to gather. It was a time when the swimming pool was spring-fed, baseball was king, neighbors looked out for one another, and elders kept a watchful eye. And then, of course, there was the food—each church had its specialty, and the smell of barbecue from neighborhood grills filled the air.

The partnership for the Park Day Reunion Documentary was formed in 2021. The team has continued to meet and collaborate, with the first filming taking place in the summer of 2022. The film will share the history of Silver Springs Park and the Park Day Reunion through the voices of those who lived it—organizers, descendants, and present-day history keepers.

The documentary is a collaborative production between Plotline, Timmons Hall/Springfield-Greene County Park Board, and UniteNews Magazine.