Community of Cairo celebrates Juneteenth

CAIRO, Ill. (KBSI) – City of Cairo celebrates Juneteenth.

Many communities came together to honor today- Juneteenth. 

The small town of Cairo came alive as residents came together to honor and reflect on Juneteenth. 

Javone Howard help set up a booth at Cairo’s Juneteenth celebration and says the community coming together today signifies the support of African American freedom and culture. The celebration is being held on the corner of 8th street in Cairo. 

“Juneteenth is important because it signifies the freedom of African Americans in America” says Howard.” We are preparing to bring the Cairo community together. Not just Cairo but all the communities of Southern Illinois to celebrate Juneteenth.” 

The event will run from 2 pm through 9 pm tonight June 19, 2025, and local businesses, food trucks, bounce houses, along with many free food items such as snow cones and hotdogs. Red, black and green banners were being hung as the community honors the day in 1865 when enslaved people in Texas finally learned they were free. Marking Juneteenth a monumental time in history. 

“We will have the firetruck here, music, and just a lot of fun and togetherness! says Howard.”