Food Vendors Are Urged To Obtain IDPH Licenses Before 35th Annual Juneteenth Celebration In 2026
ALTON - Alton has a long-standing Juneteenth Celebration tradition and the Juneteenth Committee is already in preparation for the 35th Annual Celebration in 2026. Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, is observed annually on June 19. It honors the day in 1865 when Union soldiers informed enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, of their freedom, more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on Jan. 1, 1863. Abe Lee Barham, one of those involved with the celebration to start and also a member of the Alton Juneteenth Committee, said: "We are preparing for our 35th Annual Celebration. This is a reminder that the Alton Parks and Recreation Department has requested all food vendors have food licenses from the Illinois Department of Public Health. The IDPH regulates food vendors to prevent foodborne illness and ensure safe food handling practices. "Ensuring proper licensing not only ensures legal compliance but also
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