The program will feature Chicagoland African dance troupe and drummers from Moya Cultural Arts who will do storytelling, drum lessons and lots of audience participation; vocalist Darlene Benton; Chicago bluesman Kenneth Davis of the Ken Davis Project; a reading of  the order issued by Major General Gordon Granger on June 19, 1865, proclaiming freedom for the remaining 250,000 enslaved Blacks by Patrick Murfin of the Tree of Life Unitarian Universalist Congregation’s Social Justice Team; a short history of McHenry County’s Underground Railroad connection; a story reading for the children and a few surprises.

The program will be hosted by Founder Gloria Van Hof, who organized the festival with other active community members. Exhibitors are welcome and may refer to our website for details. Three food trucks and an ice cream vendor will serve the festival and a number of businesses and community organizations will have booths on the Square, including Tree of Life. Please consider being a volunteer or giving a small donation to our organization so we can continue to provide the community with this festival and other events in the future. You can donate via their website. https://www.mchenrycountyjuneteenth.com