While Juneteenth 2023 has wrapped, here’s a recap of the 1865 Fest and the talent that performed at the event.
The Westside Cultural Alliance (WCA) reports that the third annual 1865 Fest was a huge success that hosted over 1,500 total attendees through this past Juneteenth weekend.
The weekend festival kicked off with the raising of the Juneteenth flag and celebration of Black military veterans and was highlighted by Saturday’s youth day which hosted more than 1,200 people and featured performances from local artists including legendary Chicago rap groups Crucial Conflict and Do or Die. Attendance for the festival was also entirely free and open to the public.
With a goal in mind to create as many possible activities for community members to personally engage with, guests were able to receive vital information and resources from the Wellness Corridor that was sponsored by organizations such as Lurie Children’s Hospital, Erie Family Health, and the YMCA to promote overall health and wellness.
Furthermore, they were joined by a footworking competition and workshop, and partook in numerous arts activities in the Children’s Village, which was a new addition to the festival this year. With the help of volunteers from Amazon and Bank of America, the festival flowed seamlessly. Even more importantly, guests felt safe and secure, which was even noted by city government officials in attendance.
“What makes us different is our focus on community, collaboration, and culture,” says 1865 Fest founder Carol Johnson. The WCA is confident that the success of this year’s festival will carry over into the next as they hope to continue making it bigger and better for everyone to enjoy.
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