CHAMPAIGN-URBANA, IL (Chambana Today) – Saturday, June 15th just reinforced my decision to move back to Champaign-Urbana 15 years ago. There really is something for everyone in this town, and yesterday had so many great options, I didn’t even have time to do ALL the things I wanted to do. Here are a few highlights:

Talented dancers and entertainment filled Douglass Park for the Juneteenth Celebration.

My husband left early to work at a tent at the Urbana Farmer’s Market. I love hearing “so and so says hi to you” and “so and so wanted to make sure to tell you you’re overdue for lunch with her”.

I, personally, started off with a Junteenth Celebration in Douglass Park – I walked up right at the moment that an incredible group of teenagers started their professional-level dance routine. There were hundreds of people in the park enjoying food vendors, community tents, and activities for kids.

Champaign Mayor Deb Frank Feinen enjoying a moment with a constituent.

Yet another reason I love C-U? I ran into the mayors of Champaign and Urbana within a few minutes of each other – and their pride in this community is obvious with every person they wave to, smile at, or hug (the mayor of Chicago never hugged me in all of the press conferences I covered living up there).

No Kings protesters showed up in the thousands in downtown Urbana.

Next, I continued my Saturday tradition of picking up my dad and taking him to lunch. On the way home, we drove through downtown Urbana, where THREE people were setting up a microphone and podium for speakers in the “No Kings Day” march. Millions of people across the country protested yesterday against Donald Trump’s administration, to coincide with the president’s planned military parade in Washington. There were almost 2,000 events planned across more than 1,500 cities, and Urbana was one of them.

State Representative Carol Ammons and her husband, Champaign County Clerk Aaron Ammons, showed up to remind people what they can do to keep America strong.

The event hadn’t started yet, but my dad wanted to come back to see it in full swing. He admitted to me he had never been to a protest and wanted to see what it all about. From the three people we saw setting up, to the almost 5,000 people we found there just 90 minutes later, it was amazing to see. People unified in chanting, carrying signs, waving flags, and just enjoying the comradery. Julie Pryde, the Director of the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District spotted us and ran to my car to hand my dad an American flag to wave. We did four laps around the block to take it all in together (I had to rely on a friend and co-worker to get the pictures I have attached to this article, since I was focused on not hitting anyone with my car).

The signs were so creative and passionate about their messages.

Finally, after a quick regroup, I headed to the State Farm Center (let’s be real – I just call it that for legal reasons, but not a single person here older than 40 calls it anything but “The Assembly Hall”). The second record I ever bought was REO Speedwagon, and a friend was in town and invited me to go. The lead singer, Kevin Cronin, wasn’t there, but the remaining members still rocked out and seemed genuinely happy to be there. I didn’t even know it was a fundraiser, so even better.

The band had five guitarists, two drummers, and multiple singers rotating throughout the night.
REO Speedwagon did not disappoint their home-town fans.

This town has so much culture, diversity, and good people. For a day, I forgot that the world is a mess. Even if next Saturday is quiet and uneventful, it’s in my town with my people.