Juneteenth celebrations will be in full swing this weekend in the Southland as various towns and organizations observe the holiday that marks the end of slavery in the United States.
The village of Robbins will mark the holiday with a Juneteenth Fish Fry Fundraiser at noon Friday at the Robbins Community Center, 13800 S. Trumbull Ave., Robbins, followed by community card night at 4 p.m. The cost is $12-$15 per plate.
Then from 2-10 p.m. Saturday, Robbins will host Unity in the Community at the Robbins Park District, 13800 S. Trumbull Ave., Robbins. The free event will include food, vendors, community resource agencies and youth play attractions.
Live entertainment will feature Keya Trammel (a Robbins native), Maurice Culpepper of V-103 radio and Robert Burkes and the Home Team Band.
The Homewood-Flossmoor Juneteenth Parade will step off at 9 a.m. Saturday from Flossmoor Road and Sterling Avenue, ending at Parker Junior High School, 2810 School St., Flossmoor.
Calumet City and the Calumet Memorial Park District plan a Pre-Juneteenth and Father’s Day Picnic beginning at noon Saturday at Sandridge Fitness Center, 600 Oglesby Ave, Calumet City.
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The event will feature free food while supplies last and entertainment through the evening.
Also Saturday, the Sand Ridge Nature Center, 15891 Paxton Ave., South Holland, will host activities from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Drop-in programs include self-guided walks, art projects, exhibit-style displays and games. Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and Forest Preserves District General Superintendent Arnold Randall will preside over an opening ceremony at 10:15 a.m.
The forest preserve is requiring advanced registration for Self-Love Bootcamp: The Art of Positive Thinking at Camp Shabbona Woods, 15810 S Torrence Ave., South Holland, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Saturday. The free event Includes a cultural dance and drum performance at 11 a.m. Register by emailing [email protected].
In University Park, there will be jazz music performances, spoken word and an art exhibition from 1-6 p.m. Saturday at the Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park, 1 University Parkway. Families are encouraged to bring chairs and blankets for sitting and their own picnic food and beverages, though there will be food trucks on hand.
The event will include a walking tour with artist Richard Hunt, whose sculptures are on display. The event is free but a $20 donation is suggested. Registration is encouraged at apply.govst.edu/register/Juneteenth2022.
On Sunday, a Juneteenth Festival is planned for 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Homewood-Flossmoor High School, 999 Kedzie Ave., Flossmoor. The free event will include live music and performances, along with food trucks and vendors.
Dolton will hold a Juneteenth Father’s Day Cookout from noon to 4 p.m. at Melanie Fitness Center, 14900 Greenwood Road, including food, drink, vendors, music and activities in conjunction with the village carnival.
The Southland Black Chamber of Commerce and Industry will hold a Black Tie Gala and Awards Ceremony from 5:30-9:30 p.m. Sunday at the DoubleTree Hilton, 5000 W. 127th St., Alsip. Cost is $100 per ticket and includes hors d’oeuvres and networking from 5:30 p.m. until dinner is served. An awards ceremony will recognize chamber members, businesses and leaders for their work in the community.
Tickets are limited and available by calling the chamber at 708-501-7615.
Juneteenth has become the largest annual celebration of the emancipation of slavery, and was made a federal holiday in 2021.
Although slavery was abolished in 1863, some parts of the country were unaware for years. It wasn’t until June 19, 1865 that Major General Gordon Granger’s Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas with news the Civil War had ended and that slaves were now free.
Hannah Kohut is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.