The 4th annual Juneteenth Foodways Festival is almost here, and The Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site is looking for Black-owned businesses to participate.
Each year, the Juneteenth Foodways Festival pays homage to White House Chef Dolly Johnson and her contributions to American cuisine. The festival intentionally welcomes in Indy’s Black-owned restaurants and caterers to celebrate the Black culinary traditions that have influenced American culture.
This year’s festival is scheduled for 4:30-8 p.m. on June 13.
Applications to vend at the 2025 Juneteenth Foodways Festival are now open for Black-owned restaurants, food trucks, caterers, businesses and artists. Interested partners may apply now through Feb. 28 by visiting bhpsite.org/events/juneteenthpartner.
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All participating food partners are encouraged to feature a menu with 4-5 moderately priced items which speak to the “cultural heritage and contributions of Black foodways on American culture,” according to a press release. Vendors are also encouraged to provide guests with a variety of portion sizes and price points.
All participating restaurants and caterers will receive 100% of the proceeds from food purchased at the event. The 2025 Juneteenth Foodways Festival takes place from 4:30-8 p.m. on June 13 at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential site, 1230 N. Delaware St. The event is sponsored in kind by the Eli Lilly and Company Foundation and free to the public with a stipend to participating food partners.
Contact Arts & Culture Reporter Chloe McGowan at 317-762-7848. Follow her on X @chloe_mcgowanxx.
Chloe McGowan is the Arts & Culture Reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper. Originally from Columbus, OH, Chloe graduated with a degree in journalism from The Ohio State University. She is a former IndyStar Pulliam Fellow, and her previous work includes freelancing for Indy Maven, Assistant Arts & Life Editor for The Lantern, and editorial assistant at CityScene Media Group. Chloe enjoys covering all things arts and culture — from local music, visual art, dance, theater and film, as well as minority-owned businesses. In her free time, Chloe enjoys reading, cooking and keeping her plants alive.
