The Owen Sound Emancipation Festival will return for its 164th year with three days of music, historical presentations, and community activities from July 31 to August 2.
Organizers describe it as the longest continuously running Emancipation festival in North America, celebrating the history and legacy of Black freedom seekers and their descendants.
The weekend will begin with Speaker’s Corner on Friday, July 31, at the Grey Roots Museum and Archives, with doors opening at 6 p.m. The evening will feature a discussion titled Legacy: From the Past, Present and Future, with guest speakers Dorothy Abbott, Carolyn and Sylvia Wilson, and Lesa Walker. Admission is $25, with appetizers included and additional refreshments available for purchase.
The Freedom Walk will begin at Grey Roots at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, August 1. The route will pass through Inglis Falls before finishing at the Black History Cairn in Harrison Park. Organizers caution some parts of the trail are uneven and encourage participants to wear walking shoes and bring water and snacks. Walkers will also be responsible for arranging transportation back to Grey Roots, if needed.
The main Emancipation Festival and Picnic will run from 10 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. at Harrison Park. Opening ceremonies will begin after the Freedom Walk arrives at approximately 11:30 a.m. and will include drumming by the M’Wikwedong Indigenous Friendship Centre, remarks from local dignitaries, music from Kaiya Cade Blackburn, and storytelling at the Black History Cairn.
The weekend will conclude with Inspirational Sunday at the British Methodist Episcopal Church of Owen Sound on August 2.
Refreshments and appetizers will be available, with a suggested donation of at least $10 per person.
