Juneteenth is the oldest nationally-celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States.
From its Galveston, Texas origin in 1865, the observance of June 19th as the African American Emancipation Day has spread across the United States and beyond.
“The people of Texas are informed that in accordance with a Proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired laborer.”
General Order Number 3, issued by General Gordon Granger to the people of Texas
Juneteenth is officially this coming Monday, but celebrations will be held throughout the holiday weekend around the Fox Valley.
Minority Expo of Aurora 2023
A Celebration of Freedom. Come out and support small, Minority-owned businesses from all over the Midwest.
ONLY $10 To Enter at the door
FREE for Children 12 & under
Vendors will offer Foods, Desserts, Clothing, Jewelry, Hair & Skin products, and much more.
There will be Live DJ’s, entertainment, seminars and activities for the children.
Saturday-Sunday, June 17-18; 12pm-7pm
Prisco Community Center, 150 W. Illinois Avenue, Aurora
Juneteenth Celebration Aurora
Aurora’s Juneteenth celebration will be taking place on Saturday June 17th from 3:30 to 7:30 pm. It will be held at Martin Luther King, Jr., Park on the city’s east ide at Farnsworth & Grand boulevard/ Free admission and the public is invited! There will be prizes, poetry, live entertainment and a whole lot more.
Martin Luther King Jr. Park at Farnsworth & Grand Boulevard, Aurora
African-American Coalition of Kane County’s Juneteenth Celebration
Celebrate Juneteenth and African-American culture with food, history, arts, and entertainment for the whole family. Let’s celebrate this event of remembrance together.
Saturday, Jun 17, 11am – 11pm
Festival Park, 132 S Grove Ave, Elgin
Juneteenth Worship Service
Join an outdoor inspirational service to celebrate Juneteenth, a day of freedom!
Saturday, June 17; 3pm – 5pm
Logan Street Missionary Baptist Church, 908 North River Street Batavia