In partnership with Evanston Present and Future, the City of Evanston will commemorate Juneteenth (Saturday, June 19) with a parade and community celebration.

Juneteenth, also referred to as Emancipation Day, Juneteenth Independence Day, or Freedom Day, commemorates the end of slavery in the U.S. and is observed every year on June 19. At the City Council meeting on Monday night, Mayor Daniel Biss made a proclamation recognizing Saturday, June 19 as “Juneteenth” in the City of Evanston.

The Juneteenth celebrations will begin at 11 a.m. as Evanston Present and Future presents the annual Juneteenth parade with Grand Marshals Cheryl Judice and Jason Powell. The parade will begin in the parking lot of the Robert Crown Community Center, located at 1801 Main St., and will end at Ingraham Park, located behind the Morton Civic Center. The parade route can be viewed at kemonehendricks.com/juneteenth-celebrations.

Following the parade, community members are invited to join in for an afternoon of art, music, food, and community at Ingraham Park beginning at 12:30 p.m. Food vendors will include Hecky’s Barbecue, Jennifer’s Edibles, and Noir d’Ebene and art will include work from muralists Dorian Sylvain and Rahmaan Statik. 

Performance Schedule

12:30 p.m.   Evanston Present & Future
2 p.m.          Christ Temple choir
2:30 p.m.     Beautiful Feet
2:45 p.m.     Howard Godfrey
3 p.m.          Taure
3:15 p.m.     Oxigen Da Poet
3:30 p.m.     Charm
3:45 p.m.     Da Public Speaks
4:10 p.m.     Drea