The Evanston Public Library will be closed on Monday, June 19, in honor of Juneteenth, but we’ll be celebrating the holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the U.S. throughout the month of June. Join us at the library and throughout Evanston for events celebrating Black freedom and self-determination:
- Sip & Paint: Juneteenth Edition. Make art, meet new people, and sample craft beers at our Sip & Paint event celebrating Juneteenth at Temperance Beer Co. You’ll get all the materials you need to create your own work of art, and beer will be available for purchase. Friday, June 16, 6-8 p.m. at Temperance Beer Co. Ages 21+ only. Register now to save your space.
- Juneteenth Parade and Picnic. Find the Evanston Public Library in the Evanston Juneteenth Parade, stepping off at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 17, from the Robert Crown Community Center. Then at noon join the party at Ingraham Park, behind the Morton Civic Center, where we’ll be giving away free books, signing you up for summer reading and more!
- 1619: The Journey of a People Public Performance. While at the Juneteenth Picnic, stick around for a special performance of selections from 1619: The Journey of a People, performed by the 3rd Dimension Performance Group and presented by the Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre, Evanston Township High School, and the Evanston Public Library. The lauded production leads the audience on a journey through multiple movements, leaving viewers both inspired and challenged about the progress of America’s sons and daughters. The show begins at 2:30 p.m. on June 17, at Ingraham Park. Learn more.
- Black Family Game Night: Juneteenth Edition! Play together as a family and win big! We’ll be celebrating Juneteenth and Black culture and heritage with family-friendly competitions of Uno, spades, trivia, Black Card Revoked, and other games, plus catering from Black-owned, Evanston-based restaurants. Prizes announced at the event. Friday, June 30, 5-7 p.m. at EPL’s Robert Crown Branch. Register to reserve your family’s spot!
For more events happening all summer long, visit epl.org/events.
