It’s that time of year already, food and retail partners are encouraged to submit applications for the 2026 Juneteenth Foodways Festival.
Hosted by the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, the fifth Annual Juneteenth Foodways Festival returns to Downtown Indianapolis on June 12. The festival, which is free and open to the public, celebrates the “many ways Black culinary traditions have shaped American culture while uplifting local Black-owned businesses,” according to a press release.
Each year, the Juneteenth Foodways Festival honors the legacy of Dolly Johnson, a renowned Black chef whom President Benjamin Harrison hired in 1889. Johnson went on to serve four U.S. Presidents. Since its inception in 2022, the Juneteenth Foodways Festival has welcomed more than 5,000 attendees to the grounds.
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Black-owned restaurants, food trucks, caterers, retailers, artists and makers based in Central Indiana are encouraged to apply to be a vendor at the festival. Applications are due Jan. 31, 2026, and selected partners will be notified by Feb. 6.
Participation is free, and 100% of the sales proceeds will go directly to participating partners. Selected vendors are encouraged to offer small-plate options so guests can sample dishes from multiple Black-owned businesses, according to a press release.
New this year, the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site is launching the Dolly Johnson Legacy Series, which will provide participating vendors with access to free professional development focused on long-term business growth. Designed to support participating vendors beyond festival day, the workshop series will offer business-building tools and resources focused on marketing, finance, licensing and preparing for high-volume events.
The fifth annual Juneteenth Foodways Festival takes place from 4:30-8 p.m. on June 12 at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, 1230 N. Delaware St. For more information or to fill out a vendor application, visit presidentbenjaminharrison.org.
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 has a bachelor's in journalism from The Ohio State University. She is a former IndyStar Pulliam Fellow, and has previously worked for Indy Maven, The Lantern, and CityScene Media Group. In her free time, Chloe enjoys live theatre, reading, baking and keeping her plants alive.
