Join this Historic Occasion: Evanston's First-Ever Juneteenth Parade!
WHEN: Sunday June, 14 2020; parade: noon to 2 p.m; additional festivities: 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
WHERE: Dodge Ave, Evanston (starting at Evanston Township High School (ETHS) and ending at Twiggs park with additional festivities.)
WHAT: Juneteenth, also called Emancipation Day, Juneteenth Independence Day, or Freedom Day, commemorates the end of slavery in the United States, and is observed every year on June 19.
Anyone and everyone in Evanston--individuals, businesses, organizations, and elected officials--who feels strongly about celebrating and supporting Evanston's African American Community are encouraged to participate.
WHY: To celebrate the 155th year since slavery was abolished in the United States--and the true independence day for all Americans and to educate the community about Juneteenth and its relevance today.
Though Juneteenth has yet to become a federal holiday, 45 states, including Illinois, observe it on June 19.
Juneteenth commemorates the day in 1865 when Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced Order Number 3: the abolition of slavery.
Texas was the most remote of the slave states, and the Emancipation Proclamation of January 1, 1863 was not enforced there until after the Confederacy collapsed. That meant that for two years, more than 250,000 enslaved people didn't know that slavery had been abolished.
Last year, Kemone Hendricks, founder of Evanston Present and Future, organized Evanston's first Juneteenth celebration, which was held at the Noyes Cultural Arts Center (watch the video from the event on DE's You Tube channel here).
Afterwards, a number of community members pushed for a parade, one that would be more diverse and inclusive than Evanston's traditional July 4 parade, which draws mostly white residents along its Central Street route.
Plans are now underway! Rehearsals are being held for a dance troupe of African American youth aged eight to 16, and Robin Rue Simmons 5th Ward Alderman has been named Grand Marshall of the parade.
YOU can help make Evanston’s inaugural Juneteenth parade a reality by becoming a sponsor!
**Sponsorship Levels and Benefits**
---Juneteenth Director - $10,000---
•Company logo featured on parade website •Company logo featured in parade program •Full-page ad •Company logo on parade advertisement (i.e. poster) •Logo on official parade t-shirt •(4) company-specific social media posts Facebook and Instagram •Commemorative poster •(4) VIP tickets for parade grandstand seating •Admission for four (4) to all fundraiser events •Company collaboration at Evanston YEA Festival •Float entry •(1) Company speaker at Twiggs park celebration
---Juneteenth Planner - $5,000---
•Company logo featured on parade website •Company logo featured in parade program •1/2-page ad •Company logo on parade advertisement (i.e. poster) •(3) Company-specific social media post, facebook and instagram •Logo on official parade t-shirt •Commemorative poster •(2) VIP tickets for parade grandstand seating •Company collaboration at Evanston YEA Festival •Admission for two (2) to one fundraiser event
---Juneteenth Enthusiast - $1,000---
•Company logo featured on parade website •Company logo featured in parade program •1/4-page ad •Company logo on parade advertisement (i.e. poster) •(3) company-specific social media post Facebook and Instagram •Commemorative poster •Admission for two (2) to one fundraiser event
---Juneteenth Participant - $750---
•Company logo featured on parade website •Company logo featured in parade program •Company logo on parade advertisement (i.e. poster) •(2) social media post w/ all sponsorships at this level, Facebook and Instagram •Commemorative poster •Admission for (2) to one fundraiser event
---Juneteenth Supporter - $500---
•Company name listed on parade website •Company name listed in parade •(2) Social media post w/ all sponsorships at this level, Facebook and Instagram •Commemorative poster
To become a Juneteenth Parade Sponsor, call/text Kemone Hendricks at 224-230-5156 or email evanstonpresentandfuture@gmail.com
For more about Juneteenth, click here.
