McHenry County
Juneteenth Festival

DONATE

JUNE 20, 2026

HISTORIC WOODSTOCK SQUARE

3:00PM - 5:30PM

Your donation is tax-deductible.

Location

BECOME A SPONSOR

FREE EVENT ~ ALL ARE WELCOME

Kid's Art Table - Exhibitors -
Welcome from Mayor Mike Turner

Food Trucks Holy Smokes and Tropical Chill

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Check out this year's lineup!

Join us in celebrating Juneteenth with a lineup of incredible people who embody the spirit of freedom and unity. From soulful musicians to talented dancers, each act brings unique perspective and artistry that honors our shared history. Get ready for an unforgettable experience filled with joy, inspiration, and community connection!

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Darlene Benton

Featured Vocalist

Benton has been singing since the age of four. Her path has taken her to gospel and jazz. She has sung throughout the Chicagoland area at such notable venues as the Auditorium Theatre, the House of Blues, the Chicago Hilton, and the Hemmens Culture Center. While her vocals have been requested by such iconic gospel artists as Albertina Walker, her true love is leading and ministering to the hearts and souls of people through praise and worship. Currently, she is working on her own material as a gifted songwriter.

Kenny Davis & Band

The Ken Davis Project is a well-known Soul/R&B band based in Chicago. Led by the Chicago bluesman and singer Kenneth Davis, the band regularly performs live music and Sunday dinners at local Chicago venues. We are very excited to have them on this historic day.

Stev Walker

Educator/Performer

Stev Walker is a dynamic performer, cultural leader, and passionate community engager. As a performer of this year’s Juneteenth celebration, he brings warmth, energy, and a profound sense of history to every moment on stage. Stev is also the founder and visionary behind the Center for the Arts, Music & Culture—a vibrant creative hub he built to celebrate and uplift diverse artistic voices. An accomplished capoeirista, Stev will lead his troupe in powerful capoeira demonstrations, blending martial art, dance, music, and storytelling. But he’s not just watching from the sidelines—he’ll be inviting the audience to join in, encouraging participation and shared celebration. Whether introducing performances or jumping in with the crowd, Stev Walker embodies community, culture, and celebration at every turn.

Sandi Johnson

Keynote Speaker

Educational Leader Mrs. Sandi Johnson is an experienced educational leader with over 15 years in education, specializing in behavioral systems and building inclusive school cultures. She has served as a Principal, Assistant Principal, and Behavior Interventionist, bringing a well-rounded perspective that bridges leadership, instruction, and direct student support. Her work focuses on implementing trauma-informed practices and developing behavior support systems that empower both students and staff. A dedicated advocate for special education, Mrs. Johnson holds Master’s degrees in Administrative Leadership and Special Education. She is also licensed in the State of Illinois as a Superintendent and Director of Special Education, reflecting her commitment to systems-level impact and continuous improvement. Mrs. Johnson is currently completing her doctoral dissertation focused on adult social-emotional learning (SEL) and its impact on student–teacher trust and classroom climate. Her work centers on strengthening educator capacity to build supportive, relationship-driven learning environments.

Gloria Van Hof

Founder/Presenter

Gloria Van Hof is the founder of the Juneteenth Festival in McHenry County and a passionate historian dedicated to uncovering and sharing the rich, often untold stories of Black history in the region. With years of extensive research into the Underground Railroad in McHenry County and the broader significance of Juneteenth, Gloria brings both depth and heart to her work. At this year’s celebration, she will lead an engaging conversation that explores local connections to the Underground Railroad and the enduring legacy of emancipation. Her dedication to education, community building, and cultural preservation continues to shape this festival into a powerful space for reflection, joy, and collective learning.

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The After Party

Join us at the Center for the Arts for an exciting after-party following the Juneteenth Festival! Enjoy family-friendly entertainment and food included with your admission ticket as we continue the celebration and strengthen our connections. Don't miss out on the fun—purchase your tickets here, at the festival or at the door. We can't wait to see you there!

BUY TICKETS HERE

50/50 Raffle

Get your /50 raffle tickets right here! The lucky winner will be announced at the festival, and remember, you don't need to be present to win. The more e you buy, the bigger the pot! Don't miss your chance to be part of the excitement and support our programs!

GET RAFFLE TICKETS

Be a part of the
2026
Juneteenth Festival

Join us in celebrating Juneteenth by becoming a sponsor or volunteer! We are still accepting applications and would love to have you be a part of this important event. Don't miss out on this opportunity to showcase your business and support your community. Click a link below to contact us and find out more.

EXHIBITOR

VOLUNTEER

SPONSOR

2023 Juneteenth article

Darlene Benton

Singing at 2023 Juneteenth Festival

Reverend Dr. Norval Brown

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2023 Juneteenth article

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What is Juneteenth?

Juneteenth commemorates the date of June 19, 1865, when Union troops marched to Galveston, Texas and enforced the January 1, 1863 Emancipation Proclamation, freeing over 250,000 enslaved persons still held in bondage, deprived of their freedom and basic dignity. Juneteenth honors the end to slavery in the United States and is considered the longest-running African American holiday. On June 17, 2021, it officially became a federal holiday.

All Americans are encouraged to share and feel the power of this day. Juneteenth is a reminder of how important it is to work together toward our shared goal to eliminate hatred, racism and fear; and show that bigotry and hate have no home in the United States, in Illinois, or in McHenry County.

On June 17, 2023, McHenry County held it's first ever Juneteenth celebration in the Historic Woodstock Square. To read more about the 2023 Festival, click here...

Sponsorship Opportunities

We need your help to make the McHenry County Juneteenth Festival a success and to support our mission. Your sponsorship is essential to the success of this event, and we are looking for businesses and individuals who share our passion for making a positive impact in our community.