AWN_Juneteenth_061224

Juneteenth 2024

JUNETEENTH 2024

For Rep. Danny Davis, Juneteenth is ‘a holiday of movement’

The U.S. congressman won’t rest that day despite his years of work pushing for national recognition of Juneteenth

By MICHAEL BANIEWICZ Contributing Reporter

While U.S. Cong ressman Danny Davis was growing up in the small town of Parkdale in Arkansas, Juneteenth was an annual celebration for him and his f amily. He was told that day was his “real Four th of July.”

He and his f amily would spend part of the day sharing a large meal, and after they finished, he would spend time reading outside

Now, Davis said, Juneteenth is a time for people in the United States to reflect on the history surrounding the federal holiday. There are some parallels between the post-Civil War, reconstruction era and the current times, Davis said.

Obama, who was then a senator, duced legislation in 2005. And Davis and cosponsors tried ag ain in 2008.

In 2021, he spoke from the House during the vote

“Madam Speaker,” he said, “I rise in strong support of the recognition of J teenth as a national holiday to celebrate the ending of the most horrific period and the most horrific policy and practices this Na tion has ever known: slavery. I heard one of my colleagues suggest a moment that perhaps the cost of Juneteenth is not known. I guarantee you, Madam Speaker, that whatever the cost, it will not come close to the cost of slavery.”

Rep. Danny Davis with elected o cials from Chicago and the west suburbs area greet well-wishers along the route during the inaugural West Villages Juneteenth Parade in 2022, which passed through Oak Park, River Forest and Maywood.

“So, celebrating Juneteenth as a national holiday is simply an idea whose time has come.”

“Juneteenth” he added, “is the reco gnition that darkness can come to light and that there is a celebration as my forefathers and -mothers struggled to endure the hor ror they experienced. So, celebrating Juneteenth as a national holiday is simply an idea whose time has come.”

U.S. CONGRESSMAN DANNY DAVIS

“The progress, the policies…getting rid of martial law which protected Blacks in the South…getting rid of all that, seems to me to be what some are trying to do right now,” Davis said. “That some of the protections of affirmative action. Some of the protections of laws to protect rights of individuals.”

Long before President Joe Biden signed a bill in 2021 that made Juneteenth the 11th American federal holiday — and the first since 1983, when Martin Luther King Jr. Day was created — Davis, along with others, had been pushing for national recognition of Juneteenth. He and Barack

Today, Davis said, for progress to be made, one has to understand their history and how they got here.

“If you don’ t know where you come from, you won’ t understand to know how you got to where you are,” Davis said. “Then you don’ t have a good prognosis for where you ought to be going. Individuals look to what has been done and how people managed to do it. It was blood, sweat and tears, it was hard work. It was serious ef fort, but if those ef for ts don’ t continue then you don’ t go any fur ther.”

T he holiday also highlights that there is still work to be done for equality and equity, Davis said.

“There is a possibility that all men and women can in fact experience equality and equal expectations, equal justice,” Davis said. “We’ve come a long way, but

Rep. Danny Davis has worked with countless others for recognition of a Juneteenth holiday.

we’re not there yet.”

While Juneteenth is federal holiday, it is not a day of f the job for Davis.

“We will have a chance to experienc e

a holiday, but for me it will be a holiday of wo rk . A holiday of movement. And I hope lots of other p eople will be doin g the same thing.”

avery r. young teaches ‘folks to become better painters with language

Chicago’s poet laureate hosts monthly workshops for the public in Austin

By HOPE BAKER Contributing Reporter

Chicago’s poet laureate avery r. young brings poetry to his back Kind of. T he Austin monthly poetry workshop soul workshops, at the Austin Branch library in Chicago.

“With chi-soul workshops, we really want to concentrate on narratives that are centered in Chicago and really shed light on all that happens in Chicago, not just what people see on the news,” young said. “Poetry is a great vehicle for shedding light on the things that everyday Chicagoans get to see and experience.”

Selected as Chicago’s first-ever poet Laureate in April 2023, young is an award-winning poet, educator, composer, performer and producer whose work spans the g enres of music, performance, visual arts and literature. His work has been featured in several exhibitions and theatre festivals including the Chicago Hip Hop T heatre Fest, the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago and the American Jazz Museum. With more than two decades of experience in the teaching artist field, young has led progr ams within schools, community-based organizations,

and other learning en

When young was named the city laureate, he was commissioning of ate public progr year ter m.

“Writing poetry is painting with language,” young said. der to be good at and workshops help with the craft of ing. I want to teach folks to become better painters with language

etry and literature.

“I spent days upon days upon days at that library,” young said. “I tell folks all the time that the library is an airport. You can go anywhere in the world. Every book is an airplane. That’s what I love about the library. And it’s free.”

His love of poetry began in third grade when he first read the anthology

“I Am the Darker Brother,” a collection of poems by Langston Hughes, Mari Evans, Gwendolyn Brooks, Robert Hayden and others.

Young said that since he “had a mouth” as a kid, poetry also became a helpful tool for expressing his emotions.

“I realized that when I wrote a poem people didn’t see me as flippant,” he said.

“When I said what I wanted to say in the context of metaphors or rhyme scheme or haiku, I didn’t get in trouble. In fact, I got praise for expressing myself in that form.”

Although he has written since elementary school, it wasn’t until his early twenties that young decided to seriously pursue poetry.

“I was able to do that through the open mic scene and through performance poetry,” he said. “Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine one day becoming a poet laureate of any city, let alone Chicago.”

Young said the sights, smells, sounds and people of Austin undeniably shaped who he is as a poet today

“I want to teach folks to become better painters with language.”

and the celebration of such liberty – and that’s what a poem can be. It’s a celebration of our liberties. It can be a way that we honor what it means to be a liberated soul. To be armed with your voice is liberty and it’s everything that Juneteenth is about.”

avery r. young

“A writer is constantly ear hustling and a writer is also constantly taking mental photographs,” he said. “I don’t think I would be the writer that I am had I not been incubated in the Austin community.”

Chicago Poet Laureate

When asked about how Juneteenth can be honored through poetry, young said “when I think about Juneteenth, I immediately go to emancipation and liberation

young’s workshops are designed for adult writers of all skill levels to build poems and poetry manuscripts centered on tales of Chicago. The two-hour sessions will include time to edit, workshop and present poetic works in a personal setting.

Re gistration for chi-soul workshops is required and participants must be at least 18 years old. Workshops will take place from 2 p.m to 4 p.m. on June 2, July 7, Aug. 4, Sept. 1, Oct. 6 and Nov. 3. Re gister at chipublib.org/chi-soul. T hey are held at the Austin Branch Library, 5615 W. Race Ave.

SARA JANZ

avery r. young, Chicago Poet Laureate dur ing a per formance at the Logan Center for the Arts on April 27, 2023.

CHIC AG O PUBLIC LIBRARY

avery r. young

Happy Juneteenth, I celebrate with you!

Since 1972, The Oak Park Regional Housing Center (OPRHC), an organization regarded as a leader for fair housing rights, expansion of housing options, and economic opportunity, has been providing services to residents of the Village of Oak Park and the surrounding West Cook

County communities including Chicago’s Austin neighborhood. For many years, OPRHC spent much time creating the residential integration you see in the Village of Oak Park today. This work, intentional in nature, allowed people of all races to learn about fair housing and their opportunities to live

where they choose to live. Fast forward to a new century, as we celebrate 53 years of service to the community, we are beginning to pivot our work to strengthen community ties and residential relationships while continuing to help people with their housing needs. We are still here… for you!

Main Office:

1041 South Boulevard

Oak Park, IL 60302

708-848-7150

info@oprhc.org

City of Chicago Office:

West Cook Homeownership Center 5934 W. Lake St. Chicago, IL 60644

773-887-5187

info@westcookhomeownership.org

Athena Williams, Executive Director

Austin United Alliance is a property development initiative of The Oak Park Regional Housing Center (OPRHC). As The Oak Park Regional Housing Center begins to pivot to work to increase housing inventory, we will continue to assist residents with their housing needs. Over the past 17 years as a HUD-approved housing counseling agency, we’ve assisted thousands of BIPOC families on their homeownership journey providing counseling on credit-debt management, financial empowerment services, and home and rental maintenance for healthy, sustainable, and stable housing on the Greater West Side.

Construction begins! Coming Fall 2025! The Laramie State Bank Redevelopment Project, 5200-5226 W. Chicago Ave.

As we develop more housing, we will continue to keep the community updated about the Austin United Alliance Laramie State Bank Project and others. For more information, call: 708-848-7150 or send an inquiry to: info@oprhc.org. www.oprhc.org

Emancipation Ball heads into its 3rd year

Moor’s Brewing Company’s gala celebrates Juneteenth

By HECTOR CERVANTES Contributing Reporter

In a blend of entrepreneurship and community engagement, Moor’s Brewing is gearing up to mark its third anniversary with the Emancipation Ball.

This milestone celebration not only honors the brewery’s success but also serves as a platfo rm for promoting Black excellence and empowerment in Chicago. In June 2021, Moor’s Brewing, owned by members of the Black community, was founded by co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Damon Patton and Chief Financial officer Jamhal Johnson, marking both an anniversary celebration and Juneteenth observance.

Moor’s Brewing also launched the Care Moor Foundation for Civic Engagement. This foundation aims at promoting civic involvement through fundraising ef for ts and scholarship provisions.

Johnson said this celebration is designed for this sole purpose of emphasizing Black excellence through the achievement of another year in business.

“We aim to showcase our business alongside other Black-owned beers, wines, and spirits and collaborate with and highlight Black chefs, food curators, as well as dessert providers, utilizing Black-owned bakeries for our desserts and coffee bars,” Johnson said. “By showcasing these outstanding companies and their impactful work, we emphasize and celebrate Black excellence.”

The funds raised from the celebration will go toward supporting the Lafayette Gatling Sr. Scholarship Fund and the Marcus J. Bradshaw Foundation. The MJBF will be granting the MJBF Care Moor scholarship to recipients selected by the Moor’s Brewing team in July. Moor’s Brewing also supports the AROSE Foundation and the Lotus Globe.

“We are awarding scholarships to entrep reneurs for students who are entering their freshman year of c olle ge,” Johnson said.

The Emancipation Ball will have nine food stations across the venue, enhancing

the culinary experience for attendees.

Attendees can enjoy an open bar featuring a curated selection of premium drinks.

The selection at the open bar will include Alexandra James Whisky, Bull Young Bourbon, Disbəlēf Tequila, Love Corkscrew Wine, Michael Lavell Wine, Duo Vodka, and spirits from NG Distillery.

Moor’s Brewing is also celebrating its three-year anniversary with the release of its flagship beer called Moor’s Kölsch that will be released on Juneteenth.

DJ Envy from The Breakfast Club will be providing music and a local DJ named DJ Sean Mac will perform.

“We’re also in the final stages of securing another celebrity DJ. The event will be in a gala style,” Johnson said.

Johnson also plans to collaborate with local artists to enhance the ambiance and visual appeal of the event space.

Johnson said that in the previous year,

the event showcased an art installation imbued with the vibrant essence of Hispanic and African-American cultures

“We partnered with a prominent ar t collector from Englewood, collaborating closely with Hispanic muralists to bring these themes to life. Furthermore, the event featured the live artistic talents of Dana Topp Hope, who created a painting on-site, later purchased by one of the attendees,” Johnson said.

Johnson said that they will collaborate with a nearby t-shirt printing business.

General Admission tickets are priced at $100. For those seeking an elevated experience, the Single VIP ticket, granting exclusive benefits, is available at $115.

The VIP Admission for groups of four, providing a collective VIP experience, can be purchased for $440. Johnson said that the VIP package provides unique privile ges such as reserved seating, a perk not

available with general admission.

“The event will have three stations specifically allocated for VIP guests,” Johnson said. “While chefs will exclusively cater to the VIP section, most food vendors will be accessible to general admission ticket holders. VIP attendees will enjoy full access to all areas, including a riverfront patio where they will receive gift bags and complimentary swag items such as t-shirts.”

“As we look to the future of The Emancipation Ball, our aspirations center around three key pillars of our company: culture, community, and commerce.”

The Emancipation Ball will be held from 7 p.m. to 12 a.m., Tuesday, June 18, at Rockwell on the River, 3057 N. Rockwell St. For more information and to purchase a ticket, visit the event’s web page. https:// www.eventbrite.com/e/the-emancipationb all-2024-chicagos-premiere-juneteenthevent-tickets-803921690417

Emancipation Ball in 2023.

The history of Juneteenth

A refresher on the origins of this federal holiday

By LORET TA A. RAGSDELL Contributing Reporter

On June 17, 2021, U.S. President Joseph Biden, signed into law the Bill establishing June 19 as Juneteenth National Independence Day to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States.

The Bill was sponsored by D-Mass. Senator Edward Markey and 60 cosponsors. The Bill, unanimously approved by the Senate, faced opposition from 14 House Representatives, many of whom represented states that had been part of the 19th Century slave-holding Confederacy.

The celebration of Juneteenth originated in 1865 after enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, were infor med by a Union general that the Civil War had ended and they had been freed in 1862 by President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation.

“Now, therefore I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, by virtue of the power in me vested as Commander-in-Chief, of the Army and Navy of the United States in time of actual armed rebellion against the authority and government of the United States, and as a fit and necessary war measure for suppressing said rebellion, do, on this first day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixtythree, and in accordance with my purpose so to do publicly proclaimed for the full period of one hundred days, from the day first above

mentioned … I do order and declare that all persons held as slaves within said designated States, and parts of States, are, and henceforward shall be free; and that the Executive government of the United States, including the military and naval authorities thereof, will recognize and maintain the freedom of said persons.”

T he actual abolishment of slavery occurred on January 31, 1865, after Congress passed the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. It was ratified Dec. 6, 1865.

However, news of the Civil War’s ending traveled slowly from the North to the South. In addition, some slave owners did not share the news with the slaves in hopes of holding on to their slaves. As a result, military officers had to travel to Union states and inform them of Lincoln’s Proclamation.

On June 19, 1865, Union Army General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and delivered General Order No. 3:

“The people of Texas are infor med that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between for mer masters and slaves, and connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired labor. The freedmen are advised to remain quietly at their present homes and work for wages.”

As a result of this proclamation, more than 250,000 slaves were freed in Texas Throughout Texas, great celebrations emerged. The enslaved people celebrated their newfound freedom with great merriment, including elaborate cookouts, dancing, singing, and religious services. One of the highlights of many gatherings was the symbolic ritual of removing their tattered and torn garments they had worn as slaves and throwing them in the river.

Over the years, as Galveston celebrations became more elaborate, Juneteenth celebrations spread throughout other Union States and became known as African Americans Independence Day. For more than 150 years, there was no for mal acknowledgement of slavery, one of America’s most horrific human stains, and its abolishment.

The road to Juneteenth’s acceptance and destination as an American Federal Holiday has been a long and untiring one for Opal Lee. Lee, born in Marshall, Texas, in 1924, a retired educator, has been an activist for African-American rights since her early teens. Lee, as told through her books, television appearances, and public interviews, has witnessed many atrocities of slavery, racism, and prejudice.

At age 12, after her f amily move to Fort Wor th, Texas, into a predominately white neighborhood, her f amily home was bur ned to the ground by an angry white mob. T he fire took place on June 19, 1939.

T he date and its significance propelled

Lee to work diligently to bring about a for mal reco gnition of the emancipation of African Americans from slavery.

“The fact that it happened on the 19th day of June has spurred me to make people understand that Juneteenth is not just a festival,” Lee has said.

L ee’s civil rights activism and wo rk has ga i ned her national reco gnition. Sh e is reverently c alled the “Grandmother of Juneteenth.”

At age 89, Lee started her symbolic 2.5mile walks from her Fort Wor th Texas home to the U.S. Capitol in support of her goal. In 2017, Lee launched an initiative to gather online signatures in support of making Juneteenth a national holiday. Her goal was to gather 100,000 signatures; howeve r, the net goal was more than 1.6 million.

By 1979, every U.S. state and the District of Columbia for mally reco gnized the holiday in some way. It is also celebrated by the Mascogos, descendants of Black Seminoles who escaped slavery in 1852 and settled in Coahuila, Mexico

Joining members of Cong ress and Vice President Kamala Harris, Lee, then 96, was present on June 17, 2021, when Biden signed the Bill making Juneteenth a federal holiday.

After distributing the pens used to sign the bill to those around him, Biden said, “I hope this is the beginning of a chang e in the way we deal with one another.”

AUSTIN HISTORY CENTER, AUSTIN PUBLIC LIBRARY/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Juneteenth Emancipation Day Celebration, June 19, 1900, Texas

JUNETEENTH 2024

Annual Juneteenth celebrations to kick o in Chicago, suburbs

Marking what many perceive as the true date of emancipation in the United States, the holiday is a celebration of unity and Black culture

By ALEX GOLDSTEIN Contributing Reporter

As Juneteenth approaches, so too does a month of educational, commemorative and entertainment opportunities across the country. Here’s Growing Community Media’s most complete list of ways to celebrate the holiday across the Chicago area.

FOREST PARK

Juneteenth Fair — Forest Park

Public Library and Liberated Ar t Movement

Saturday, June 8

Forest Park Public Librar y, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. This celebration highlights Black artists, authors, creators and small business owners. The event will include refreshments and book giveaways

Fifteenth Annual Juneteenth Family Pool Celebration

Saturday, June 15

Park District of Forest Park Aquatic Center, 6:45 p.m. to 10 p.m.

AUSTIN/WEST SIDE

1865 Fest

June 14-16

Gar eld Park ’s Music Court Drive

Day one of this three-day experience features Juneteenth military honors, highlighting Black veterans and active service members and including a Juneteenth ag-raising ceremony. Day two, the “cultural experience,” features family activities centered around Juneteenth history, with educational workshops, live music and free food The nal day of celebration honors Father’s Day on June 16

with a grill-o and house music event.

The annual event is put together by the 1865 Coalition, a collaboration of community organizations, residents enforcement, educational institutions, elected o cials local businesses and churches on Chicago’s West Side

Far South CDC

Juneteenth Festival

Saturday, June 15

11420 S. Halsted St., noon to 4 p.m.

The Far South Community Development Corporation will be hosting an afternoon of celebration including live music, food from Black-owned restaurants, a resource vendor fair and a small business marketplace.

Juneteenth Wellness 5K Walk/Run

Saturday, June 15

Starting at the Gar eld Park football eld at 8 a.m.

Proceeds from this fourth annual 5K will go to Peace Runners 773 as well as Fresh Supply, a not-for-pro t organization with the goal of providing resources and safe spaces to underprivileged youth in the Austin area.

Front Porch Ar ts Center Annual

Juneteenth Celebration

Saturday, June 17

Columbus Park, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

This family-friendly event will feature music, food and dancing. There will also be a Juneteenth art exhibit curated by the Front Porch Ar ts Center and family artmaking activities.

Teamwork Englewood

Juneteenth Celebration and Resource Fair

Tuesday, June 18

Multiple locations, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Part one of this fair, hosted by Teamwork Englewood, will be from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 63rd Street and Halsted

Avenue. It will feature a job fair, legal clinic, ra es, food and a live DJ.

Part two will transition to 63rd Street and Justine Street for a celebration from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., with line dancing, card games, a bounce house and a “foot working session” in store.

The Black Au ra

June 29, 6:30 p.m. – Jun 30, 11:00 p.m.  5628 W. Washington Blvd. Kehrein Center For The Arts

The Black Aura: A Weekend of Liberation and the Ar ts is a response to the city›s need to dev elop a greater sense of identity and clarity around the values associated with Juneteenth. Scheduled to take place June 28-29, the weekend between Juneteenth and Independence Day, this artistic experience leverages the ar ts to illuminate the tensions in African American histories and struggles, and the resiliency that has emerged.  It promises a broad array of experiences, including performances, documentaries and workshops. The weekend

will highlight the aura of “Blackness” and re ect the resilience and humanity of Black people in the arts. The end is designed to feature local artists, intentionally building upon and strengthening our collective sense of community in Austin and beyond.

CHIC AG O

Nikole Hannah-Jones, Pulitzer Prize-winning creator of The 1619 Project

Chicago Public Librar y, Thursday, June 20, 6 – 7 p.m.

Harold Washington Library Center, 400 S. State St.

In honor of Juneteenth, Chicago Public Library welcomes Nikole Hannah-Jones, Pulitzer Prize-winning creator of The 1619 Project and a sta writer at The New York Times Magazine. Hannah-Jones will be in conversation about her work on The 1619 Project with Chicago journalist Natalie Moore.

How to Attend in person: D oors to the Auditorium open at 5:30 p.m., and seating is rst come, rst served (350 capacity). Books are available for purchase, courtesy of Semicolon, and the author will autograph books at the conclusion of the program.

How to attend vir tually: This event will also take place live on CPL’s YouTube channel and CPL’s Facebook page. You’ll be able to ask questions during the event as well. Can’t make it to the live stream? The video will be archived on YouTube to watch later.

OA K PARK

Juneteenth Flag-Raising Ceremony

Wednesday, June 12

Oak Park Village Hall cour tyard, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Coordinated by Oak Park ’s Juneteenth Committee of community leaders and sponsored by the village’s O ce of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, o cials at Village Hall will raise the Juneteenth ag to kick o a week of celebration. The ceremony will be followed by speakers, refreshments and more.

PROVIDED

Nikole Hannah-Jones

JUNETEENTH 2024

Juneteenth Community Cookout

Saturday, June 15

Oak Park Village Hall south lawn, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

This family-friendly event, coordinated by the J uneteenth Committee, will include music, food, resource tables and a vendor market featuring local B lack-owned businesses.

Juneteenth Oratory Competition

June 16, 18 and 19, Various locations

Students of all grade levels are invited to craft original, persuasive speeches on the signi cance of the Juneteenth holiday and importance of its celebration. Winning students will receive a cash prize and be invited as featured speakers at a community luncheon. The event was designed by Asé Productions, which partnered with the Suburban Unity Alliance and Ra re Conscious Dialogues.

RIVER FOREST

Juneteenth Family Barbecue and Keynote Address at Dominican University

Thursday, June 13

Barbecue 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the quad, keynote 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. in Springer Suites

A keynote address by Danielle Walker, Ph.D., will follow a family barbecue at Dominican University. She’ll discuss the lessons learned from Juneteenth and how Americans can use them to work towards an objective of racial justice. Walker is the chief diversity, equity and inclusion o cer for the Village of Oak Park.

MAY WOOD

“Let ’s Grow Together” Holistic Wellness Festival and Juneteenth

Celebration

Saturday, June 8

Proviso East High School, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

This festival will feature tness events including a 3K walk/run, food provided by various local Black-owned restaurants, live DJ showcases and “Best of Proviso”

competitions including tug-of-war and a football distance throw Forest Park Mayor Rory Hoskins and Oak Park Village President Vicki Scaman will be in a dunk tank for par ticipants to indulge

The event is hosted by A Greater Good Foundation, which o ers social-emotional learning curriculums, restorative practices and other opportunities and programs for connection among youths in the Chicago area.

WESTCHESTER

Juneteenth Freedom Walk and Flag-Raising Ceremony

Wednesday, June 19

Lineup at Broadview Missionary Baptist Church at 9:45 a.m., ag-raising ceremony at Westchester Village Hall from 10:45 a.m. to noon

Community members can register to participate in this freedom walk, which will proceed to village hall for a ag-raising ceremony. Afterward, a Juneteenth Traveling Museum, book display from Westchester Public Library and complimentary refreshments will ser ve as enter tainment and educational opportunities to celebrate the holiday.

Juneteenth Community Celebration

Saturday, June 22

Gladstone Park, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

This celebration is the other half of the Village of Westchester’s two days of festivities. Food trucks, live music, line dancing lessons and a vendor market will round out the holiday, complete with a performance from Grammy award-winning Pastor Darius Brooks.

HILLSIDE

Speaker Chris Welch’s Juneteenth Festival

Wednesday, June 19

Memorial Park Distric t, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Emanuel “Chris” Welch, 7th distric t state representativ e and speaker of the house, is hosting this free even t. It will feature food, games, v endors , ar tists , enter tainers and more.

Cicad-amazing art!

sam ferri

Maximus

Margot Qualiato