Oak Park ready to celebrate Juneteenth

Published on June 02, 2025

The entire community is invited to join in Oak Park’s celebration of Juneteenth, an occasion considered by many as the true anniversary of emancipation in the United States.

The Village’s festivities begin with a flag-raising ceremony on Wednesday, June 11 and continue with a community cookout on Saturday, June 14.

The flag-raising ceremony will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on June 11 in the courtyard at Village Hall, 123 Madison St. and will feature speakers, live performances, food and more.

The community cookout from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 14 is sponsored by the Village and will feature family fun, face painting, live entertainment and a Black vendor market.

As always, food is at the heart of the cookout. 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.

Juneteenth has since been recognized as both a state and federal holiday.

For more information about Oak Park’s Juneteenth celebration, visit www.oak-park.us/juneteenth or contact DEI@oak-park.us or 708.358.5405.