The 1st ELO Fest at Depot Park on Sunday to be part of Juneteenth activities in Gainesville

Several Juneteenth events will be held for family and friends to enjoy this weekend in Gainesville.

One of them, the inaugural ELO Fest at Depot Park at 874 SE Fourth St., will be hosted by the Everyone Loves Oneanother Foundation Inc. from 1-5 p.m. Sunday.

The purpose behind the free festival open to the public will be to celebrate Father’s Day, Juneteenth and encourage unity in the community, said Eric (DJ E-Lo) Lopez, founder of the foundation and a longtime disc jockey who is well-known in Gainesville and surrounding communities.

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“We might not look alike or have the same beliefs but we are all fathers, mothers, sisters and brothers,” Lopez said. “We are family-first individuals that only want what’s best.”

Lopez said he has been living in Gainesville for over 30 years and enjoys giving back to the community.

“I provide food and clothes to the homeless and less fortunate,” Lopez said. “I provide my services as a DJ for free or at a discount to public schools as well as The ARC of Alachua County and Tacachale.”

Lopez said he has been giving back for over 15 years and said he knows what it feels like to need a helping hand and wants to make sure those in need receive assistance.

“I know what it’s like to be both a lender and a borrower,” Lopez said. “I’d rather be a lender because in most cases if you can lend it, that means you have it. I know the importance of sowing seeds. We are all farmers. The seeds we sow will one day grow to be a blessing or a curse.”

There will be various people at the festival teaching line dances and self-defense lessons to attendees, Lopez said.

“If more people understood the thoughts and feelings they have on a day to day basis, they might learn to deal with them in a less violent manner,” Lopez said.

Special guests will include Friends of Rad Kids that will teach self defense classes hosted by Carry Gallop, Gainesville City Commissioner Desmon Duncan-Walker will make a call-to-action against gun violence, Smooth Flava Dance will teach people how to line dance, Extreme Hip Hop with Brandy Garner will provide dance lesson and a Michael Jackson impersonator will perform, Lopez said.

“There are systems out there to assist people struggling both emotionally and physically,” Lopez said. “This event is perfect because it's set to reach a wide variety of people. We will be able to reach more people at one time.”

Kim Wilson, an Everyone Loves Oneanother Foundation Inc. board member, said she joined the foundation because it is what the community needs.

“When I found out what it was about, people loving themselves and working to create peace in the community, I wanted to be a part of something our community needs,” Wilson said.

Wilson will also lead a CPR training during ELO Fest to help attendees learn how to help someone in need of medical assistance.

“It is informative because so many people have medical emergencies and want to help, but don’t know how,” Wilson said. “It is all about timely intervention.”

Wilson said she has known Lopez her whole life and is fortunate to see his love for the community blossom into a foundation.

“He’s always been a public person,” Wilson said. “He’s always been helping others and now he can bring that into a foundation.”

Lopez said the sponsors for this year’s ELO Fest are Children’s Trust of Alachua County, Education Just For Us, Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, 100 Black Back Men of Greater Gainesville, Meridian Behavioral Healthcare, University of Florida’s Center for Arts Migration and Entrepreneurship, The Bar Hop, The Coyne Family, Fortitude Security, Gainesville Police Department and attorney Adriane M. Isenberg.

“We’re making sure everyone has a good time and stays safe,” Lopez said.

Lopez said he plans on making ELO Fest an annual event.

Other Juneteenth happenings in Gainesville include:

Thursday from 10:30-11 a.m.: Storytime at Depot Park Depot Park play area.

Thursday from noon-8 p.m.: Juneteenth: Rejoice, Reflect, Remember: Celebration" will include food trucks, arts & crafts, youth activities and a gospel extravaganza at 6 p.m. at Santa Fe’s Blount Center at 530 W. University Ave.

Friday at 7:30 a.m.: Expressions of Freedom (ticketed event) at the Cotton Club Museum & Cultural Center at 837 SE Seventh Ave.

Friday at 6 p.m.: SYNERGY magazine launch (ticketed event) reception to unveil the 2023 edition of the magazine at SF College's Blount Center at 401 NW Sixth St.

Friday at 8 p.m.: The For The Culture Fashion Show will showcase models dressed in Black-owned clothing brands and authentic African clothing at Fame of Fadez Barbershop at 201 SE Second Place, Suite 109.

Saturday from 7-11 a.m.: Freedom Walk at Depot Park.

Saturday from 4-9 p.m.: Freedom Fest 2023: Music and arts celebration of Emancipation Day and Juneteenth at Bo Diddley Plaza at 111 E. University Ave.

Monday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Reaching Back to Move Forward: Unveiling of Sankofa" statue with drumming and other musical performances on the west lawn of the Alachua County Administration Building at 12 SE First St.

Monday at 4 p.m.: Stay Woke Florida rolling protest will be held at Bo Diddley Plaza.

Monday at 6 p.m. Free Juneteenth concert featuring gospel singer Vickie Winans at Bo Diddley Plaza.

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Several events are scheduled in Gainesville to celebrate Juneteenth