Locals gathered in Columbus Park June 9 for a neighborhood get-together hosted by To Walk in My Shoes, a nonprofit that offers free programs for substance abuse, violence prevention and money management.
From noon to 7 p.m., residents of the West Side talked, danced to music and shopped at vendor booths. Alcohol, drugs, weapons and fireworks were restricted at the event.
“We want to show our children, the children of the community and the community, that we can all get together, listen to music, dance and have a good time without any violence,” Shrone Conaway, co-founder of To Walk in My Shoes, previously told the Austin Weekly News.
The event was originally scheduled for May 26 at Garfield Park but was rescheduled due to rain. There will be more get-togethers throughout the summer.
“We’re trying to get this thing as big as Riot Fest or Taste of Chicago,” Conaway added. “I want people to look at it like a family reunion.”