Glenwood Celebration Set To Commemorate Juneteenth Holiday

GLENWOOD, IL — A free, family-friendly celebration is set for June 19 in the south suburbs, as the Village of Glenwood recognizes the historic Juneteenth holiday.

Beginning with a 3 p.m. service at the village’s Underground Railroad Memorial Park, festivities will happen from 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the neighboring John H. Blakey Center, 1 N Rebecca St., where a D.J. will set the tone with stepping and line dancing. There will also be games and face painting for kids, as well as dozens of vendors selling food and merchandise. Families are also welcome to bring picnic baskets for the event.

The memorial service will feature local elected officials and will be emceed by CBS-2 reporter and South Side native Darius Johnson.

Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery, as the announced enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation finally reached Texas on June 19, 1865. Celebrations have continued across the country since and in 2021, President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law, making it a federal holiday.

Glenwood’s celebration is significant, as historians note the village was a stop on the Underground Railroad. A memorial was recently dedicated at Main Street and Young Street, marking where freedom seekers who had escaped enslavement in the south found refuge at a nearby inn.

"We wanted to organize a special celebration for such a special day," said Mayor Ronald J. Gardiner. "We also wanted to call attention to the significant role Glenwood played in ensuring the safety of those fleeing the south for safety in the north. We hope everyone comes out to join us in celebrating this historic day."