You may have been to a Taste of Austin celebration put on by Austin Coming Together in Columbus Park or hosted on the Soul City Corridor of Chicago Avenue. This year, Project Exploration and Every Block a Village are helping organize the event as a part of Congressman Danny Davis’ Back to School Picnic and Parade. 

On Aug. 16 from noon to 6 p.m., organizers expect over 500 people to gather at Columbus Park to enjoy the free Taste of Austin’s food and live music, basketball and pickleball, a double dutch showcase, African drummers, face painting, hair services, an art market and a pop-up Black history museum. There will also be about 80 vendors, free food samples, a senior tent and health resources.  

“The Taste of Austin has existed in many forms,” said Janeicia Williams, community ecosystem director at Project Exploration. This year, the Taste of Austin is returning to Columbus Park as a part of the annual Back to School Picnic and Parade, which Davis has put on for nearly 40 years, working with different nonprofits annually. This is the first year Project Exploration is a part of the event.  

The science education and youth development organization leads the My CHI My Future initiative in Austin, called the Austin Experience, which aims to provide equitable out-of-school opportunities across Chicago.  

“There was no greater opportunity to showcase the wealth of out-of-school resources and to be able to provide students with a one-of-a-kind safe space experience,” Williams said of why Project Exploration got involved with this year’s Taste of Austin. Project Exploration is also the safe space lead for My CHI My Future, meaning it creates engaging places for young people to connect with each other, mentors and resources throughout the year. 

Every Block a Village, a faith-based nonprofit that aims to support and strengthen the Austin, Garfield Park and Lawndale neighborhoods, is also helping to organize this year’s Taste of Austin.  

Every year, Bright Leadership Institute sponsors school supplies and backpacks to give away at the Back to School Picnic and Parade. Williams said the tent at Columbus Park where attendees can get free technology will be larger this year than in the past.  

New additions with this year’s Taste of Austin include youth-centered activation like bumper cars, fishing, graffiti and canvas painting zones, inflatable obstacle courses and a video game truck.  

“We’re assisting those two entities in making this event more teen and youth friendly,” Williams said of Davis’ office and Bright Leadership Institute.  

With Davis announcing his coming retirement at the end of last month, Williams said that Project Exploration will continue working with whoever fills the district seat on future back-to-school events like this one. And Project Exploration will keep providing safe spaces for the youth.  

“We host events like this for young people all throughout the year,” Williams said, citing examples like fashion shows, carnivals and youth conferences. “The idea that you deserve these one-of-a-kind, engaging experiences, is our core focus, and however we can make that happen is what we’re looking to do.”  

Williams said this year’s Taste of Austin ideally allows people to feel more connected to their community.  

“I hope the community walks away feeling excited for kids to go back to school,” Williams said. “I hope they feel encouraged around all of the support and the wealth of community resources and access and people who are there to just love on them.”  

This year’s Taste of Austin is a part of Davis’ Back to School Picnic and Parade. Core nonprofits include Bright Leadership Institute, the Austin Experience and Every Block a Village. Other sponsors include the Office of La Shawn Ford, NAACP Chicago Westside Branch, Austin Coming Together, Loretto Hospital, the Chicago Police Department’s 15th district and Office of Community Policing, Chicago Exploration, Lincoln Park Zoo, the Chicago Park District, Illinois Department of Human Services, Amazon, and the Chicago Department of Family and Support Services  

The Taste of Austin is free and will take place at Columbus Park, 5701 W. Jackson Blvd., on Aug. 16 from noon to 6 p.m.