Emancipation Festival
Multiple Locations:
Friday, July 31, 6 – 9:30 p.m.
Doors open, music and refreshments at 6 p.m.
Program begins 7 p.m.
Grey Roots Museum & Archives – Thomas Wheildon Theatre
The Emancipation Festival, in partnership with Grey Roots Museum & Archives, invites you to an evening of engaging dialogue with educators, historians and descendants of freedom seekers.
6-7 PM: Music by Bobby Dean Blackburn
7-9 PM: Legacy – From the Past, Present and Future Guest Speakers and a performance by the Mellish Dancers
Guest Speakers: Dorothy Abbott, Carolyn and Sylvia Wilson and Lesa Walker
Admission fee is $25 (advance purchases online will be available soon).
Appetizers will be provided and refreshments (cash purchase) will be available.
Freedom Walk
Saturday August 1, 8:30-11:30 a.m.
Start at Grey Roots Museum & Archives at 8:30 a.m. to join the Freedom Walk. All are welcome! Some areas of the trail are uneven so please dress accordingly with walking shoes, comfortable clothing, water and snacks as needed.
Walk will end at the Cairn in Harrison Park. More details to come.
Emancipation Festival & Picnic
Saturday, August 1, 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Join us to celebrate the 164th Owen Sound Emancipation Festival and the longest and continuous festival in North America! Excited to welcome and strengthen family and community connections, so come out and enjoy some amazing live performers – Switchback and Hungry Life, and deejay by Firefly Entertainment, information booths, food vendors, raffle, races and other activities being planned for this signature summer event!
Join us to celebrate the 164th Owen Sound Emancipation Festival and the longest and continuous festival in North America! Excited to welcome and strengthen family and community connections, so come out and enjoy some amazing live performers and DJ by Firefly Entertainment, information booths, food vendors, raffle, races and other activities being planned for this signature summer event!
10 a.m. – Registration / Mix and Mingle
11:30 a.m. – Welcome Freedom Walkers, Greetings, special guests and Black History Cairn storytelling.
12:30 – 4:30 p.m.
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Live entertainment – Hungry Life and Switchback (Pavillion stage)
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Enjoy the performances, mingle, eat, visit the information booths, food vendors, check out the raffle and other activities, races and prize draws throughout the day!
Suggested donation of $10 is welcome and appreciated. Help us reach our fundraising target!
Inspirational Sunday
Sunday, August 2, 12 – 3 p.m.
Legacy Concert at BME Church
Doors open 12:00
Program Begins 1:00
The Emancipation Festival, in partnership with the British Methodist Episcopal Church of Owen Sound, invites you to Inspirational Sunday to celebrate 164 years of the longest continuous festival in North America!
Come out and enjoy some amazing live entertainment in the recently renovated British Methodist Church.
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Emcee – Valerie Tillman
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Blessing by Pastor – Rev. Cosmos Dzuda
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Legacy Hall – Steve Harris
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Entertainment by: Bobby Dean Blackburn and David Sereda & Choir
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Light refreshments will be served.
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Meet and greet – refreshments and appetizers
Suggested donation of $10+ per person is welcome and appreciated.