The Village of Oak Park | 123 Madison St.  Oak Park, IL 60302 | village@oak-park.us

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Juneteenth celebration

The entire community is invited to join in Oak Park’s celebration of Juneteenth. Details on Juneteenth celebrations for 2024 are coming soon! 

Interested in helping plan the Juneteenth celebration or volunteering at the events? Click here to sign up as a volunteer.

2023 Juneteenth Events

  • Juneteenth parade and community cookout
    • 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday, June 18
    • Oak Park's Juneteenth celebration culminates with a parade and community cookout on Sunday, June 18.

The parade steps off at 11 a.m. from Longfellow Park near Jackson Boulevard and will march north on Ridgeland Avenue to Augusta Street. Community groups and organizations are invited to participate in the parade, which is being organized by members of the community.

Following the parade, a community cookout sponsored by the Village and the Park District of Oak Park will be held at Taylor Park, 400 Division St. The cookout will feature barbecued meat, vegan options, sides, dessert and drinks as well as a DJ and games. Ahimsa Yoga Studio will host a free yoga/meditation session at 2 p.m., and a live performance from the band Funkadesi is scheduled to start around 2:30 p.m.

Anyone interested in volunteering to help during the cookout is encouraged to email DEI@oak-park.us.


 

  • Juneteenth flag-raising ceremony - "Still We Rise!"
    • 6 p.m., Wednesday, June 14
    • Village Hall courtyard (123 Madison St., Oak Park, IL)
    • Program:
      • 6 p.m.
        • Refreshments & performance by cellist Lindsey Sharpe
      • 6:30 p.m.
        • Opening remarks from Dr. Danielle Walker, Chief DEI Officer
      • 6:45 p.m.
        • Flag raising ceremony
        • Drumming by Victoria Boateng
        • Black National Anthem performed by Mara Love
      • 7 p.m.
        • Poem reading by Village Clerk Christina M. Waters
        • Speaker - Chris Thomas (Your Passion 1st)
      • 7:15 p.m.
        • Speaker - Rev. Adonna Reid, Pastor of First United Methodist Church Oak Park
        • Closing remarks from Village President Vicki Scaman
      • Special performance

Juneteenth Youth Arts Contest

Calling all Oak Park youth artists! The Village’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is hosting a Juneteenth Youth Arts Contest open to anyone age 18 and younger who lives or attends school in Oak Park.

Artists are invited to create an work of art that embodies Juneteenth and why it is important. All forms of art are welcome, including hip-hop/rap, spoken word, paintings, etc.

The deadline to submit a contest entry is Monday, June 12. Winners will receive a cash prize.

The Village's Office of DEI will announce winners for elementary, middle and high school age groups at the Juneteenth Cookout on June 18.

Click here to submit a contest entry

For more information, email DEI@oak-park.us.