Juneteenth Festival in Woodstock on Saturday to feature singer Darlene Benton

Singer Darlene Benton will be the featured vocalist at the second annual Juneteenth Festival from 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday, June 15, on the Woodstock Square.

Benton has performed gospel and jazz at notable venues such as the Auditorium Theatre, House of Blues, Chicago Hilton and Hemmens Culture Center. The program also will feature speakers, other musical performances and readings, as well as food trucks and family activities on the Square.

Juneteenth marks June 19, 1865, when enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, learned that they’d been freed by the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863. Juneteenth became an annual festival across Texas in the post-Civil War era and has evolved into a national event.

This first McHenry County Juneteenth celebration was organized by Gloria Van Hof, a McHenry County Board member and Underground Railroad researcher, along with other community leaders.

The program will feature speakers, musical performances and readings with food trucks, vendors and family activities on the Square. The keynote address will be from Venoncia M. Bate-Ambrus, and performers include Moya Dance Troupe and Drummers and Ken Davis and his band.

“Our mission is to promote African American history and celebrate the freedom of all individuals. As a community organization, we have founded McHenry County’s first Juneteenth festival to commemorate the emancipation of enslaved Blacks,” according to the organizers’ website. “We aim to expand our efforts by organizing various events throughout the year that highlight the rich cultural heritage, achievements, and contributions of African Americans.”

For information, visit mchenrycountyjuneteenth.com.