Forest Preserves of Cook County’s 12th annual ‘Juneteenth Jubilee’

The Forest Preserves of Cook County invites residents to celebrate freedom, family and country with activities, presentations, performances and exhibits that highlight Black history, arts and culture this Juneteenth.

With boat rides, guided walks and other celebrations on the federal holiday of Thursday, June 19, a Juneteenth Jubilee from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 21 at Sand Ridge Nature Center, 15891 Paxton Ave in South Holland and more events, the Forest Preserves plan the region’s biggest celebrations featuring nature and the outdoors. Details are at fpdcc.com/juneteenth for the week’s events; Juneteenth Jubilee details at fpdcc.com/juneteenth-jubilee. All are free, with vendors also participating at the Jubilee.

The Jubilee event features a dozen performers, community organizations, and others as  well as family fun events, food for free and for purchase, vendors, and more: 

• At 1 p.m. Cook County Board and Forest Preserves President Toni Preckwinkle will be present for a cake cutting ceremony and singing “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” Free food as well as meals and ice cream available for purchase will follow the ceremony.
• Attendees canexperience culture and history with storytelling by Mama Edie McLoud Armstrong and a “migration and me” story session with Faith In Place,  “ring shout” cultural dance from Mbwakawen Harambee Collective, a presentation from Midwest Underground Railroad Network on the “Underground Railroad in Calumet City,” and drum circle provided by Light of Loving Kindness. 
• Volunteers from the Afro-American Genealogical & Historical Society of Chicago will have a resource table at the Jubilee. The group’s members encourage attendees to bring non-sensitive documents, like wedding and funeral programs or other family papers (but not birth certificates or other legal documents) to get ideas and insights about how to research family history. 
• Themed, self-guided walks on the trails of Sand Ridge Nature Center will be available as will the reptile & amphibian room in the Nature Center. 
• Also on hand will be community institutions like South Holland Public Library and vendors such as Chicago’s Da Book Joint, Greg’s Ceramics, and others selling jewelry, food and more. Families with children can celebrate together and enjoy activities including face painting, tie-dying and lawn games.

The Jubilee includes both indoor and outdoor activities and will take place rain or shine. 

Other Juneteenth events are also planned around the Forest Preserves: 

Thursday, June 19

11 am at Sand Ridge Nature Center, Juneteenth Reflection Walk

Take a self-guided walk and contemplate what Juneteenth means to you. Share your experience through an activity.

1 pm at Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Juneteenth Walk

Join us for a walk focusing on the contributions made by African-American naturalists.

2 pm and 5 pm  at Beaubien Woods Boat Launch, Juneteenth River Boat Tour

This event will also take place at 10 am on Friday, June 20

Paddle along the African American Heritage Water Trail(TK). Presented by Beaubien Woods Youth Outdoor Ambassadors & Openlands. Note: must pre-register for boat tours at experience.nature@cookcountyil.gov or 224-763-4317.

6 pm at Dan Ryan Woods Visitor Center, Juneteenth Freedom Ride

Cycling celebration with Major Taylor Trail Keepers and Black Girls Bike. BYO-bike and helmet for the 16-mile loop ride.

Saturday, June 21

11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Crabtree Nature Center

In addition to the Juneteenth Jubilee, Crabtree Nature Center will host drop-in events to learn about the history of Juneteenth and create crafts. 

Learn more about all Juneteenth events and others at fpdcc.com/juneteenth.