Event includes food, entertainment, children’s activities
The Burlington Coalition for Dismantling Racism will host its second annual Juneteenth Rally at Echo Lake Park in Burlington on Saturday from 2 to 8 p.m. This community event is open to all people and is intended to celebrate the emancipation of Blacks enslaved in the United States and raise awareness of current racial justice issues, according to organizers.
The event includes performances, speakers, and special guests in addition to food, children’s activities, and more.
The food includes rib tips, pulled pork, brats, and more catered by Big Daddy’s BBQ & Soul Food of Milwaukee. Drinks and other concession items will also be available.
Juneteenth is an African American holiday that represents the day the enslaved Texans were informed about their freedom, although they had been freed for approximately two years. When BCDR hosted its first Juneteenth Rally in 2020, the event drew nearly 300 attendees.
“Last year’s event was the first time many had seen Burlington represent ethnic inclusivity on that scale and it was a beautiful sight to see,” BCDR Founder and President Darnisha Garbade said in a news release issued by the organization. “We paid tribute to the indigenous tribes who founded Burlington, many of the Black and Brown people who lost their lives to police brutality and liberation of the Texans who were set free.”
The Juneteenth event will open with prayer and an Indigenous land acknowledgement to pay homage to the people of this area who were the stewards of the land we stand on, according to BCDR. In addition to a life-sized solitary confinement model, the event will feature various educational installments as well as performances by comedians, dancers, artists, and musicians. The Juneteenth Rally will also include a variety of children’s activities, including games and performances.
During the rally, BCDR will raffle gift baskets, golf packages, and other items that were donated by local businesses in support of the event. There will also be businesses owned by people of color selling their products for attendees to peruse.
“Without the amount of overwhelming support from local businesses, allies, community members and many others who have been longing to see diversity and inclusion in Burlington, this event wouldn’t have been possible,” Garbade said. “It not only takes a village to raise a child, but also to raise racial awareness and we’re grateful to know that there are people who care enough to take action.”
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