Decatur Juneteenth parade unites communities with music, food, and celebration

DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) — Downtown Decatur showed a display of unity and celebration Saturday afternoon, as the city hosted its annual Juneteenth parade.

The event drew numerous visitors from out of town, all eager to enjoy the historic day with live music, food and a sense of community.

Following the parade, the festivities continued with a street fair featuring food trucks and live entertainment from local artists.

Program director Great Nelson said she is proud of the event's success.

"Excellent turnout, this is one the biggest years where I've seen it like this," Nelson said. "There's people from everywhere here."

The event served as a reminder of shared history and the ongoing journey toward equality.

Organizer Travonn Madding described the importance of the event.

"This event celebrates and honors not just the ancestors of the black community but the ancestors of all communities that brought forth today's justice, today's freedom, and today's unity that we have in the community now," Madding said.