Juneteenth Celebration

Join us to celebrate Juneteenth, Thursday, June 19, 2025, starting at 1:00 pm at Sinnissippi Park. Event will include performances, food, retail, and information vendors. All are welcome!

A highlight of this year’s Juneteenth Rockford Celebration is a special partnership with Hard Rock Casino Rockford, presenting a free post-celebration concert featuring the nationally recognized, platinum-charting funk band Lakeside. Best known for their iconic hits like “Fantastic Voyage” and “It’s All the Way Live,” Lakeside will take the stage at Hard Rock Casino Rockford on June 19 at 8:30 p.m. The concert is open to guests aged 21 and older. Free tickets are available at the Hard Rock Casino Box Office on Fridays and Saturdays from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., or at the Juneteenth Rockford Celebration on June 19 from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Additional pop-up ticket opportunities may also be announced on the Rockford Juneteenth Celebration Facebook page and website.

Award Categories

Entrepreneur of the Year - An outstanding new entrepreneur (1-3 years) that has shown success and has a direct benefit to the black community and our local economy, health and wellness, and/or workforce.

Impactor Award - A local community group that makes a positive continuous impact on the lives of minority community members.

Juneteenth Advocate of the Year - Individual who has been involved in one or more projects that specifically supports the advancement of collaboration in support of Equity, Inclusion and Diversity.

Unsung Hero - An Individual who works behind the scenes to improve the region/ community. (Seeking someone who often works behind the scenes and/or has not been substantially recognized for passions and efforts)

Faith based Leader of the Year - A faith based leader that shows a passion for the advancement of our diverse community through advocacy, support of equity, inclusion, economic mobility, wellness, collaboration, and belonging.

Retail and information vendors spots are available for this year’s event. If interested contact Tommy Meeks at icrgrockford@yahoo.com or 815-218-2861. Limited spots available.

Sponsors | Supporters

Interested in sponsoring or supporting, please contact Tommy Meeks at icrgrockford@yahoo.com or 815-218-2861.

Platinum Sponsor

 

Additional Sponsors & Supporters

Randy & Nancy Loomis

Tier 3 Sponsors

  • Plumbers and Pipefitters U.A. Local 23

  • Live 4 Lali Inc.

  • Winnebago County Chairman Joe Chiarelli

  • City of Rockford

  • IBEW Local 364 Power Connection

  • Joan Shelby

  • Andrell L. Brag-shaw

Tier 4 Sponsors

  • MB Strategic Solutions

  • Winnebago County Democratic Central Committee

  • Randall " Roscoe" Johnson

  • Comcast/Xfinity

  • Furst Staffing

  • Gorman & Company LLC.

  • Associated Bank

  • Northwest Illinois Building Trades

Tier 5 Sponsors

  • Dorman Terry LFP

  • Suzanne Shelain & William Lewis

  • Tim & Debbie Dimke

  • William Crowley

About Juneteenth

Juneteenth1865, produced by Rockford Community leader Tommy Meeks is excited to announce its return for the 34th Juneteenth Celebration. This event is the longest-running Juneteenth Celebration in the state of Illinois! President of ICRG (Inner City Reconstruction Group) and Founder of Rockford Juneteenth Celebrations, Tommy Meeks, created Juneteenth1865 with the sole mission of promoting and cultivating knowledge and appreciation of African American history.Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, celebrates the emancipation of slavery in the United States. It commemorates June 19, 1865, when the last enslaved African Americans held in Confederate states were finally freed by the Union army. Six months later, the Thirteenth Amendment officially made slavery illegal throughout the "entire" United States. Juneteenth has been observed since 1866.