H-F Juneteenth Parade, Block Party Set To Celebrate Heritage, Diversity

FLOSSMOOR, IL — The vibrant spirit of Juneteenth will once again be celebrated in Homewood-Flossmoor as You Matter 2's Juneteenth Parade and Block Party returns on Thursday, June 19 in Flossmoor.

The free, family-friendly event will feature a community parade, live entertainment, food, vendors, games, and more as south suburban residents gather to celebrate Black freedom, excellence, and culture.

The day begins with a parade down Flossmoor Road from 10 to 11 a.m., followed by a high-energy block party from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Parker Junior High School (2180 School St, Flossmoor, IL).

After hosting one of the largest Juneteenth Festivals in the south suburbs for the past four years, You Matter 2 is offering a more intimate, community-centered experience this year.

“We’ve poured so much into building a space for our community to celebrate, reflect, and connect,” said Destiny Watson, Founder & CEO. “While this year’s event is smaller in scale, it’s still powered by the same heart — and it’s our hope to bring back the full Juneteenth Festival in the future.”

Block Party Highlights:

• Live music by DJ Chicago Rambo
• Food trucks
• Black-owned vendors and resource booths
• Inflatables and family activities
• A vibrant atmosphere of celebration and unity

Support the Cause:

To help bring back the full festival experience and support youth programs, attendees are encouraged to:

• Purchase past Juneteenth Festival and You Matter 2 T-shirts for just $10
• Make a donation on-site or at www.youmatter2.org/donate
• Bring school supplies to drop off in donation bins at the event — all items will support South Suburban students this fall

Proceeds from the event will directly support You Matter 2’s leadership development programs for 6th–12th grade students and future community events, including efforts to restore the full Juneteenth Festival in 2026.

For more information, to donate, or to get involved, visit www.youmatter2.org.