Music concerts, parade, block party top list of 12 Springfield-area Juneteenth events
A paint night, block party and a parade are among the festivities that will commemorate Juneteenth this week in Springfield and surrounding areas.
The federal holiday on June 19 commemorates the emancipation of enslaved people in the U.S.
Here are 12 events to learn about and celebrate the holiday.
Juneteenth showcase
Lincoln Library will host a dance, music and art showcase Wednesday in honor of Juneteenth.
The event will include live performances from Shatriya Smith, the Capital City Dance team, Brittany and Jordan of Lincoln Library and more.
An art gallery featuring Jeff C. Williams, Alyssa Farmer and other local artists will also be included. The gallery and reception begin at 5 p.m. and the performances at 6 p.m.
Light refreshments will be available.
For more information, go to www.lincolnlibrary.info.com or call 217-753-4900, ext. 5630.
More: Springfield activists rally in support of gun control legislation following mass shootings
Levitt AMP music concert
Celebrate Juneteenth on Thursday with live performances hosted by the Levitt AMP Springfield Music Series.
Afro-pop artist Natu Camara will headline the free event, which is in collaboration with the local organization Juneteenth Inc.
The celebration will take place from 6-8:30 p.m. at the Y Block at Fourth and Jackson streets. Lawn chairs, blankets and picnics are encouraged.
For more information visit www.heritagefoundationspi.org/levitt-amp-springfield
Free-ish paint night
Relax and create for Juneteenth at the Intricate Paint Nite event Thursday hosted by Alyssa Farmer.
Attendees will get a pre-drawn Free-ish canvas, painting supplies and dinner from local restaurant Tick's Backyard BBQ.
The event will take place at Everything Intricate, 1107 South Grand Ave. E., at 9 p.m. Tickets are $40 and attendees must RSVP via the event Facebook page. The event is open to those 21 and older.
For more information visit www.facebook.com/everythingintricate/
My Juneteenth Journey
The Lincoln Home and Old State Capitol historic sites will present "My Juneteenth Journey: An Exploration of Springfield’s Historic Freedom Street" on Friday.
Children and adults will explore a variety of historic sites and museums in Springfield that played a role in the story of freedom like the Ambidexter Institute, Lincoln Colored Home, Oak Ridge Cemetery and more.
The event will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. beginning in Representative Hall on the fifth floor of the Old State Capitol State Historic Site. Lunch will be provided.
To register for the event, visit www.eventbrite.com. Seating is limited to 50 guests and registration ends Wednesday.
Juneteenth art exhibition
Experience Black culture at the Illinois State Museum on Friday during its 𝗡𝗢𝗜𝗥 II: The Migration Juneteenth art exhibition.
Curated by national artists Korbin King and Michelle Smith, the showcase will feature sculptures, drawings and paintings from 21 artists.
The exhibit, free to the public, will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For more information, visit www.IllinoisStateMuseum or call 217-782-7386.
Juneteenth lecture series
Unpack your knowledge about the holiday with a free Juneteenth lecture series Friday hosted by the University of Illinois Springfield Center for Lincoln studies on Friday.
The topic will highlight Lincoln and the Emancipation Proclamation.
The lecture, presented by professors Edna Greene Medford and Holly Pinheiro Jr., will take place from 1 to 3:30 p.m. at the Illinois State Museum. It will also be available on livestream for those who cannot attend.
For more information visit www.uis.edu/event/cause-and-effect-lincoln-and-emancipation-proclamation Register for the livestream in advance at https://uis.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_syRW9nysRTeQczb2fZSHIw
Free-ish block party
Catch a vibe with Juneteenth Inc. at its Free-ish block party on Friday.
The party will feature music, vendors and a variety of activities from 4-8 p.m. beginning outside of the Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St..
Juneteenth T-shirts will be available for $20-$25.
For more information visit www.facebook.com/Juneteenth-Inc-Springfield-IL
Juneteenth celebration-Springfield
Get in the holiday spirit beginning Saturday as Juneteenth Inc., kicks off a two-day Juneteenth celebration.
The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Comer Cox Park.
More than 20 vendors, games, prizes and activities will be featured in the celebration. A community resource and pet adoption area will also be on site.
For more information visit www.facebook.com/Juneteenth-Inc-Springfield-IL
Unity parade
March in celebration of freedom on Saturday at the 28th annual Juneteenth Unity parade.
The parade steps off at 10 a.m. on South Grand Avenue with a walk down Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and will end at Comer Cox Park.
For more information, visit www.facebook.com/Juneteenth-Inc-Springfield-IL
Fitness in the park
Celebrate education and wellness for Juneteenth with Fitness in the Park on Sunday.
The exercise session will be led by local trainer and gym owner Clemence Ahiable of Crème De La Clem fitness. It will take place at 9 a.m. at Comer Cox Park.
For more information visit www.facebook.com/Juneteenth-Inc-Springfield-IL
Outdoor revival
King of Kings Christian Assembly will lead the official Juneteenth outdoor revival service with praise and worship on Sunday.
The service is 10 a.m. to noon at Comer Cox Park.
For more information visit www.facebook.com/Juneteenth-Inc-Springfield-IL
Juneteenth in Jacksonville
The Jacksonville chapter of the NAACP will host a Juneteenth celebration at the downtown square in Jacksonville on Saturday.
The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. It will begin on the east side of Lincoln Land Community College with a mural dedicated to Dr. Alonzo Kinniebrew, founder of the first surgical hospital established by an African-American in the United States.
T-shirts honoring Dr. Kinniebrew will be available for purchase.
The celebration will continue with vendors, food trucks and live entertainment. There also will be community health and wellness service groups screening for diabetes and distributing colon cancer and COVID-19 screening kits.
For more information call 217-473-5911.
This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Juneteenth events in Springfield, IL include block party, parade
