(Photo By Flickr User Elvert Barnes)
Here is a look at what cities are participating in the Juneteenth Celebration around the Land Of Lincoln:
Alton, IL:
The 23rd Annual Juneteenth observance in Alton on Saturday, June 14th; the celebration will feature the Jesse White Tumbling Team, praise dancers, music, food, and health testing.
The event begins at 11am at James H. Killion Park at Salu with Mayor Brant Walker reading a proclamation in honor of the day, kicking off the family activities. The park is located at Washington Avenue at Salu Street. The event runs until 5pm.
For more information, call Linda Weller at 618-208-6450.
Champaign, IL:
Juneteenth Emancipation Day Celebration-
Join in and help celebrate 149 years since the news of the Emancipation Proclamation reached Texas and freed the last of the slaves. Bring your family and friends to Douglass Park for summer fun and games on Saturday, June 14th.
The time on this event will be from 12noon-3pm.
Sponsored by the Champaign Public Library Friends and the Champaign Park District.
Library: Douglass Branch Library, 504 E. Grove St. (Champaign, IL)
Location: Meeting Room
Contact: Douglass Branch
Contact Number: 217-403-2090
East Peoria, IL:
The Heritage Ensemble presents “Juneteenth: An American Celebration.”
When: 7:30pm; Saturday, June 14th
Where: Illinois Central College Performing Arts Center, 1 College Dr., East Peoria, IL.
Tickets: $15 for adults, $8 for students, and $12 for senior citizens, and can be purchased at the ICC box office, 309-694-5136.
For more information visit www.heritageensemble.com.
Freeport, IL:
Freeport will observe Juneteenth from 12noon to 7pm on Saturday, June 21st on Boggess Street between Float and Ottawa avenues.
This year’s theme is about celebrating the Freeport community. Juneteenth was created to commemorate the end of slavery in the U.S.
Participants are asked to bring lawn chairs, tables and food to share for this all-day, old-fashioned event. Volunteers are needed.
For information: 608-219-3676.
Kankakee, IL:
Agenda for Kankakee County's "Juneteenth Celebraton 2014":
June 14th – Short Flag day Ceremony, Noon at MG 44 Gallery 295 S 5th Ave., Kankakee, and Pembroke Juneteenth Celebration – Pembroke Township ,
June 16th – Lunch and Learn at Lisieux POC , St Teresa Catholic Church, Kankakee, IL
June 17th – Oratorical MG 44 Gallery 295 S 5th Ave,Kankakee, IL
June 18th – Mid-week Prayer Meeting – Genesis community Ministries 300 N. Indiana Ave
June 19th – (Official Juneteenth Day) Ole Fashion Hoedown at Basu Natural Farm, Pembroke Township, IL
June 20th – Juneteenth Awards Dinner at Franco Conference Center, 500 W Court St. Kankakee, IL
June 21st – Juneteenth Celebration “2014” Festival Day, Trinity Lutheran 1501 E Merchant St., Kankakee, IL
For more information call 815-272-7741 or email- loveucjsl52@sbcglobal.net
Springfield, IL:
The 21st Annual Juneteenth Celebration will be held June 14-15, 2014. This two-day event will be held at Comer Cox Park in Springfield. It starts off with a Kickoff Parade Saturday at 10am. Opening ceremonies are immediately following the parade. For two days there will be a variety of vendors, live stage entertainment and much more.
Here is the line-up of the 2-day Juneteenth Celebration:
Saturday, June 14th:
10am — Parade (MLK Drive and Brown Street)
12Noon — Opening ceremonies (main stage)
1pm — Ribbon cutting ceremonies (splash fountain)
2:05pm — Hip Hop body burn by Dee Dee
2pm-4pm Open stage
4pm — 100 Man Unity Rally
5pm — Teen Dance Groups
6:30pm Kenny Humble Trio (live band)
Sunday, June 15th:
11am -1pm — Gospel music
2:30pm — Gospel Fest (hosted by Rev. Shawn Brooks)
4pm-6pm — Open Stage
6:30pm — Santiago Trio by Santiago Roberts (live band)
For more information or anyone interested in being an open stage act, phone 217-502-3701.
Quad Cities, IL/IA:
Juneteenth In The Quad Cities:
June 8th- Kick-off Praise Celebration, 10:30am, Grace City Church, 2313 44th Street, Moline, IL
June 9th- Men’s Monday “the N Word” Does it have a place in our race? 6pm– 8pm; Panel discussion/audience participation; Lincoln Elementary School, 318 E. 7th Street, Davenport IA
June 10th- Movie in the Park “Slavery By Another Name,” 6:30pm, Rock Island High School – Little Stage
June 11th- Youth Day “Our Youth, Our Future,” 6pm– 8pm; Open discussion, Lincoln Elementary School, 318 E. 7th Street, Davenport IA
June 12th- Women’s Thursday presentation, “A Thin Line Between Love & Hate” Building Relationships, 6pm– 8pm, Martin Luther King, Center 630 9th Street, Rock Island, IL
June 13th- Gospel in the Park “A Night Of Worship," Alexis Spight, Headliner (Runner up on BET’s 2012 Season Of Gospel), 6pm– 9pm, LeClaire Park, downtown Davenport, IA
June 14th- Family Festival “A day with the Family,” 12noon-6pm, LeClaire Park, downtown Davenport, IA; Music, games, food
For more information contact United Neighbors, Inc. at 563-322-7363 or go the web site at www.qcjuneteenth.com.
Log online to juneteenth.com to get educated, reading more details on state celebrations, and read the whole story on how "Juneteenth" became to be the the Holiday that it is today!
