Laker Nation News

Lake Land College is hosting a Juneteenth celebration on Thursday, June 19 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Luther Student Center. The event is open to students, staff, faculty and community members.

The event will include several free activities for participants, including Calm App group meditation sessions, games, music, giveaways, hair tinsel, glitter tattoos, face painting and more. The event will also feature a roving crowd magic show from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. by Noah Sonie, who appeared on the hit CW magic competition show Penn & Teller: Fool Us.

Guests are also encouraged to participate in a fundraiser walk during the event to support the Lake Land College Opportunity Fund, which provides assistance to marginalized students facing financial barriers. The Mattoon Rotary Club has pledged to contribute up to $1,000 in support of the College’s opportunity fund and will donate $10 for each individual who completes at least a half-mile walk. Indoor and outdoor walking paths will be available throughout campus during the event and marked at half-mile and full-mile intervals.

Heartland Health Foods will be on campus for the event with acai bowls available for purchase. Lake Land College students and employees in attendance can each receive one free acai bowl as supplies last. All students and employees must show proof of enrollment or employment.

The event will also offer an opportunity for local black-owned businesses to promote and sell their goods with a black-owned vendor fair. The fair will be held in Laker Point of the Luther Student Center from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. All business owners interested in hosting a booth at the event can contact Mercury Bowen, Coordinator for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging, at 217-234-5244 or mbowen@lakelandcollege.edu. There is no cost to host a booth at the event.

The Lake Land College Juneteenth celebration is one of many events throughout the local community to celebrate the ongoing history of liberation, resilience and overcoming in Black/African-American cultures. On Tuesday, June 17, two organizational advocates for racial justice, the RealiTea ProjecT and the Faith Alliance for Racial Justice, will be holding a viewing of the PBS Documentary Juneteenth: Faith & Freedom at the Charleston Carnegie Public Library at 4 p.m.

The Mattoon Public Library will also be hosting a story time event on Friday, June 20 at 2 p.m. The event will include a Juneteenth storybook reading, crafts, food and giveaway for all children present.

On Saturday, June 21 beginning at 9 a.m., the Mattoon Junior Football Complex will be hosting a Family Fun Run/Walk event in honor of Juneteenth. Tickets to participate in the event are available now on Eventbrite. All proceeds will support the Conduit of HOPE Project, a Mattoon-based organization which seeks to provide sustainable development and dignified housing for individuals in need.

Peterson Park in Mattoon will also be hosting Juneteenth Festival on Saturday, June 21 from 1-4 p.m. The event will take place at the Rotary Bandshell and will include free music, food, exhibits, games, a bounce house and a poetry jam event.

To learn more about the Lake Land College Juneteenth event and other celebrations throughout the community, visit the Lake Land College website at LakeLandCollege.edu/Celebrations.

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