Juneteenth commemorates June 19th, 1865 when word finally reached slaves in Texas that they were free, two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed.
The celebration will include a 'Parade for Peace' which starts Saturday at Noon at Chicago and Cicero. It ends at Chicago and Mayfield. The grand marshal will be Chicago Police Department First Deputy Al Wyzinger.
The three day Juneteenth festival will run Friday through Sunday in the 5900 block of West Chicago Avenue.
It will feature live bands, singers, dancers, vendors and a health pavilion. One of the group's featured at the Juneteenth festival will be Nunufatima African Dance and Crafts. They gave ABC7 a preview of the celebration.