Evanston Celebrates Juneteenth with Walk and Festivities

Over 400 people gathered at Arrington Lagoon in Dawes Park, Evanston, to celebrate Juneteenth, a holiday marking the end of slavery in the United States. This day became a federally recognized holiday in 2021, commemorating the freedom of enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, who learned of their release two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863.

The festivities began at 10:30 a.m. with Opal’s Walk for Freedom, a two and a half-mile march honoring Opal Lee, a civil rights leader known as the “Grandmother of Juneteenth.” Her granddaughter, Dione Sims, and Kemone Hendricks, the main organizer, led walkers of all ages along the lakefront. The Evanston Township High School cheer team and band participated during the walk, while local organizations and food vendors set up at Dawes Park to celebrate Black culture and resilience.

“July fourth freed the land, but Juneteenth freed the people,” Sims remarked to the crowd. The 2.5-mile march symbolized the time between the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation and the enforcement of freedom in Galveston. The event stretched from Arrington Lagoon to Dawes Park and back.

Sims highlighted Evanston’s role in launching the first municipal reparations program in the U.S. in 2021 to address the impact of past discriminatory housing practices. Reflecting on her grandmother Opal Lee’s legacy, Sims stated she is proud of the ongoing effort to ensure freedom for everyone.

Carolyn J. Ruff, founder of Black Lives Matter Women of Faith, shared her enthusiasm for the event, which she attends annually to honor Opal Lee. She emphasized the significance of the Pan-African flag she waved, linking it to the struggles for freedom and justice faced by the Black community.

Event volunteer Edie Segal expressed her eagerness to learn more about Juneteenth and Opal Lee through participation. “It’s an absolutely beautiful day to be out here celebrating,” Segal shared.

Sponsors for the day included Evanston Present and Future, the City of Evanston, Mari Enterprise, and Unity Unlimited. The celebration featured live music and cultural performances by GreenTTea & the Tempos and NAJWA Dance Corps. Food vendors like Hecky’s BBQ and Candlelite Pizza served attendees. Educational and historical exhibits, face painting, cornhole, and a coloring contest added to the day’s activities.

Amanda D’Agostino, special events coordinator for the Evanston Parks & Recreation Department, noted that this year’s event took place at Dawes Park for the first time. “We usually do a parade, but costs and logistics led us to centralize at the park,” D’Agostino explained. “Today we’re celebrating the freedom of everybody, the freedom of all people.”