The 4th annual Juneteenth Foodways Festival is almost here; it’s time to get tickets.
More than 30 Black-owned restaurants, caterers and vendors across Central Indiana are coming together on June 13 at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential site for the 4th annual Juneteenth Foodways Festival. Early access and complimentary tickets are available now.
Honoring renowned Black caterer and chef Dolly Johnson, the Juneteenth Foodways Festival allows guests to explore her story while tasting a variety of Indianapolis’ diverse cuisines, unique offerings and browsing retail partners — all Black owned.
During the first year of his term in the White House, President Benjamin Harrison made a crucial change to the White House Staff by replacing the French chef with Dolly Johnson, a Black woman from Lexington, Kentucky. Johnson’s cuisine was such a hit with the 23rd president and his family that she served her all-American bluegrass style cooking to four American presidents, according to a press release.
The 4th annual Juneteenth Foodways Festival will feature reenactments from Freetown Village alongside distinctive menu items from local eateries — such as Generations Pie Company, The Blue Avocado, The Zodiac Chef, Taste Buddies, J & J Taste of Home Radiance, Golden Spatula, Liftoff Creamery and Paul’s Kitchen — which “speak to the cultural heritage and contributions of Black foodways on American culture,” according to the press release.
READ MORE: Pots & Pans Pie Co. prepares to launch ‘The Clubhouse’ along Monon Trail
Guests can also shop from a selection of local and Black-owned retail partners, such as Peace of Passion, Opulent Radiance, Urban Luxury, Ujamaa Community Bookstore, Three to Four Dogs and more.
The 4th annual Juneteenth Foodways Festival takes place from 4:30-8 p.m. on June 13 at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, 1230 N. Delaware St. General admission is free and early access passes, which allow entry at 3:30 p.m., are $20. The event is sponsored by Eli Lilly and Company Foundation and presented by the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site.
For more information or to reserve tickets, visit bhpsite.org/events/juneteenth.
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.
