Juneteenth events set to celebrate, educate
Published 1:29 pm Thursday, June 4, 2026
QUINCY — Lena Jones wants Quincy’s Juneteenth activities to celebrate – and to educate – the community.
Jones coordinates the Quincy Juneteenth Community Celebration which offers three events from Friday, June 12 to Sunday, June 14 with a theme of “Celebrating Freedom.”
“We want everybody to know they’re welcome. We welcome them to come and celebrate and learn about Juneteenth history. What the history is all about, how it got started, the struggle, the journey and where we are today,” Jones said. “In a sense, things are much better, but we still have some work to do. As we celebrate, we also try to educate.”
The celebration — returning for its fifth year thanks to support from sponsors, volunteers, grants and the Quincy community — opens with a Friday night semi-formal gala at the Oakley-Lindsay Center.
A social hour begins at 5 p.m. with dinner and a program at 6 and live music beginning at 7 from soul artist Tirvarrus Hadley from Mississippi and the Los Angeles-based BIFOYA Dance Band. A dance party with iHeart Radio DJ Stew closes out the night, which also features door prizes.
“I tell everybody to bring your dancing shoes, especially this year,” Jones said. “The BIFOYA band is a dance band. We have great music.”
Saturday’s Juneteenth Community Festival opens with a history lesson presented by Marsha Mayfield and Faye Dant, both of Hannibal, Mo., and a re-enactment of Opal Lee, known as the grandmother of Juneteenth worldwide, who helped lead the grassroots effort to make the day a federal holiday.
The festival, slated for 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. in Washington Park, includes special appearances by saxophonist Rhoda G, the PC band and up-and-coming rap group Redd Boyz. An expanded Kid Zone will feature face painting, kiddie train rides, bounce houses, snow cones, cotton candy, the Quincy Mobile Library, a Quincy fire truck and the Quincy Children’s Museum bubble machine.
“We have something for every age,” Jones said. “The adults love the cakewalk. That will be there this year.”
A free Sunday afternoon concert closes out the weekend celebration.
Chicago vocalist, educator and arts advocate Gabrielle “Gabby” Green performs at 2 p.m. at First Union Congregational Church, 105 N. 12th.
The Quincy High School graduate was an active member of First Baptist Church where she sang in the VOP choir, choreographed and danced in the praise dance ministry and was part of the District Youth Choir. Green, who holds degrees from Millikin University and Roosevelt University, has performed locally and internationally and teaches in Chicago Public Schools
“Gabby will be doing all genres of music,” Jones said. “She’s very passionate about cultural expression and music’s transformative power.”
If You Go
Tickets for Friday night’s gala and more information about the Quincy Juneteenth Community Celebration are available online at celebrateqcyjuneteenth.com and from coordinator Lena Jones at jlena7319@gmail.com or 217-617-2861.
