Festivities at the 2022 Elgin Juneteenth Festival included members of the YWCA’s Take 2 School Aged Child Care carrying flags from African countries. This year live music, performances, food, vendor shopping and other activities will be held from 1 to 9 p.m. in Elgin’s downtown Festival Park. Shirley Bassett wants Elgin-area children to understand the history and importance of Juneteenth — also known as Black Independence Day — so new generations can carry the tradition forward.
It’s also a reminder that Black parents “really have to be vigilant about what they have to deal with on a daily basis and help encourage them through the rough times,” Bassett said. The CULTUR5 Expansion Market will add about 20 Black-owned businesses to the regular vendor lineup, offering a diverse array of items, including food, arts, crafts and baked goods, as well as supplying a DJ for musical entertainment.
With children being the focus of this year’s festival, there will be an expanded kid’s zone with an escape room, interactive games, a reading corner and crafts. “It’s actually a good-tasting beer,” she said. “ even if you don’t drink beer, take one of the cans to keep.”