CHICAGO (WLS) — Juneteenth events across Chicago and nearby suburbs filled the weekend with music, dance and family-focused gatherings Saturday, with additional celebrations scheduled to continue Sunday.
At one of the city’s biggest neighborhood celebrations in Bronzeville, dancers with the Chicago Youth Dance Coalition took the stage, performing routines that added energy to the day’s festivities.
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“I feel good and happy and I feel blessed,” 9-year-old dancer Alaina Malone said.
The performances were part of the Bronzeville Juneteenth Celebration, which marked its sixth year. Held on the Near South Side during Father’s Day weekend, the event is organized by several groups, including the Bud Billiken Parade and the Black Star Project, founded by the late Philip Jackson.
“We’re all out here to come out here and perform to celebrate Black excellence, Black freedom, everything that has to do with Juneteenth,” dance coach Mack Holton said.
Organizers said the festival was designed to bring people together and strengthen community ties across generations.
“It’s a day of unity. It’s a day of celebration. It’s multigenerational and so all ages can come out and celebrate with us,” said Antawn Anderson, CEO of Chicago Defender Charities.
In addition to live performances, the celebration featured guest speakers, vendors and wellness-centered activities for attendees.
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“We have a women’s reset lounge where you can come and get a massage or get your nails done and we also have the official barbershop for President Obama here,” said event founder and organizer Kenya Reaves.
Organizers also highlighted the influence of Philip Jackson’s work, particularly his focus on family engagement.
“Phillip was a big advocate for parent involvement, especially father involvement,” said Lindsey White of the Black Star Project.
Other Juneteenth events took place across the region. On the Far South Side, the A. Philip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum hosted its annual Juneteenth Youth Olympics and Community Recommitment Celebration in Chicago’s historic Pullman neighborhood.
In west suburban Westchester, a Freedom Walk and celebration were held in Gladstone Park.
Juneteenth, observed each year on June 19, marks the day in 1865 when enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, learned they were free.
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And while lots of Saturday’s events ended in the afternoon, there’s still plenty of Juneteenth events which will continue over the weekend.
Organizers say the celebrations are expected to draw continued participation as communities honor the holiday through gatherings, performances and reflection.
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