Oak Park's Juneteenth festivities began with a flag-raising ceremony on Wednesday, June 11 and continue with a community cookout on Saturday, June 14. The flag-raising ceremony was on Wednesday, and the community cookout from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 14 will feature family fun, face painting, live entertainment and a Black vendor market. This year’s event will feature BBQ from Robinson’s Ribs and Q BBQ, vegan options from Chicago Style Vegan, soul food from Passion Eats Catering, hot dogs & hamburgers from Don’t Forget Your Lunchbox and ice cream from Scream. Among the main stage performers during the cookout are the Jesse White Tumblers, Kuumba Kids Cultural Showcase, JKed, soul and funk music from the Jason Grant Experience and crowd favorites from DJ Cam Steele. Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when a U.S. Army general read orders in Galveston, Texas that all previously enslaved people were free. Juneteenth has long been recognized as an important day among many Oak Parkers, and the Village Board made it official in 2020 when it voted unanimously to support a proclamation to formally observe the holiday every June 19. We uplift the importance of Juneteenth as a community celebration, and offer solidarity for all of those who are speaking out against oppression this weekend at other gatherings! (fb)

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