History and fun share a plate at Elgin's Juneteenth fest

Galveston, Texas may be thousands of miles across the country, but the joy of the Juneteenth holiday was honored Saturday in Elgin with food, music and festivities.

The holiday, which officially falls on June 19, commemorates the date that 1865 when news of the Emancipation Proclamation reached Texas, almost two and a half years after the abolition of slavery was supposed to take effect.

Saturday marked the ninth year the African-American Coalition of Kane County has held an event. Dozens packed into the Elgin Civic Center Plaza.

While the historical significance of the event is retained, the festival has also become a celebration of black culture.

"This is a way for the African-American community to show off our heritage," said Gertrude McClain, president of the African-American coalition. "It is important, not only for African-American people, but for everyone to know about a heritage they might have some presumptions about. Everyone should know about history."

The fest offers traditional food such as fried catfish, barbecue and fried chicken, as well as music from local blues and jazz artists and deejays.

Elgin resident Gwen Guy attended the festival with her two daughters Ebony Guy and Alicia Young, as well as her granddaughter Anaya Young, to support the local businesses and meet other residents, as well as celebrate the spirit of the day.

"I like to get out into the Elgin community and pay patronage to the local vendor out here," Gwen Guy said. "It is also a significant date for African-American as far as reparations, so we come out to remember that as well."