This year’s Juneteenth festivities in Macomb featured an afternoon of free entertainment and free food.
“It’s a great way for people to come and a have a free, fun-filled day. And eat lots of good food that’s free. What’s that commercial? Free, free, free,” said Belinda Carr, who is on the event’s organizing committee.
She also prepared the jerk chicken with black beans and rice that was dished out for attendees.
The celebration on Saturday, June 17, in the field next to Mount Calvary Church of God in Christ attracted people from throughout the community, including six-year old Roman Gosa of Macomb.
“This place is so fun. A lot of people are here,” he said.
The event has grown during its three years at Mount Calvary.
And Katy Gorsuch, Director of Western Illinois University’s Multicultural Center, encouraged even more people to check it out.
“Get out there, go to things like this, even if you don’t necessarily think that Juneteenth is about you. Go because it’s about someone else that you should be supporting,” Gorsuch said.
Gwendolyn Clark of Macomb operated one of the many booths lining the park-like setting. She was selling candle holders, jewelry, and t-shirts.
Clark calls her designs H.U.G.S. -- Heavenly United Granting Smiles.
“I like to see people smile. So when I’m making different earrings and necklaces and bracelets, and the t-shirts, I know that I’m making somebody’s life better, and that’s what we need,” she said.
Juneteenth is a date that makes Clark smile.
“Juneteenth means that I have the freedom to live and be who I want to be, and not have to ask any questions about it,” she said.
Juneteenth is also known as Emancipation Day, Freedom Day, or the country's second Independence Day.
As Belinda Carr walked through the grounds, she was already thinking about what to add for next year’s Juneteenth celebration.
“I think it’s important, first of all, to bring people together. One human family, everybody,” she said.
“And then to bring people to the east side of town – sometimes the east side has a stigma attached to it. And that’s not true. So everybody can come and see everything is positive on this side of town.”
Carr said community support is one of the beautiful things about Macomb. She hopes they can find a few corporate sponsors for next year so they can bring in more entertainment for Juneteenth.
Burlington and Galesburg also had Juneteenth events scheduled on Saturday, and Keokuk is marking Juneteenth with a week of special activities.
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