Join us to celebrate the 160th Emancipation Festival | July 29 to July 31, 2022
Channel: Owen Sound Emancipation Festival
Date: 2022-07-26

Celebrate this special occasion with us! The 160th Annual Emancipation Festival! http://www.emancipation.ca/


Whether you are visiting Owen Sound for the day or the weekend, we have an exciting lineup of speakers and performers as part of our Emancipation Day celebrations from Friday, July 29 to Sunday, July 31 2022
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There are lots of great things to do and places to stay in beautiful Harrison Park, Owen Sound and other scenic sites in Grey County.
We hope to see you there!


DOWNLOAD THE 2022 BROCHURE!
hhttps://bit.ly/Emancipation-Festival-22-PDF


Preview of the festivities


Friday, July 29, 6 – 9 p.m.: Speaker’s Corner, Grey Roots Museum &
Archives (theatre), 102599 Grey Road 18, RR4
Opening remarks and greetings: Jeff Smith, Chair of the Emancipation Festival and Mayor Ian Boddy and Mayor Dwight Burley
Guest speakers: Diana Braithwaite and Kathy Grant
Entertainment: Bobby Dean Blackburn and Diana Braithwaite & Chris Whiteley
$20 in advance online or in person. Space is limited. Appetizers and refreshments will be provided.


Saturday, July 30, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.: Festival and Picnic, Harrison
Park, 137 2nd Avenue East
Meet and greet, light breakfast/coffee (while quantities last)
Greetings: Crier of the Emancipation Bruce Kruger, commemorative celebration, About the Black History Cairn by Bonita Johnson-deMatteis and gospel music by Gael Miller-Jackson
Welcome remarks: Jeff Smith, Chair, Emancipation Festival, Ian Boddy, Mayor of Owen Sound & Alex Ruff, Member of Parliament, Grey-Bruce-Owen Sound
Entertainment: The Trevor MacKenzie Band, Blackburn and the Sattalites (special guests include Bobby Dean Blackburn and Liberty Silver) (add hyperlinks to 1-minute video clips; confirm clips for others)
Displays, food vendors, races and more!


Sunday, July 31, noon – 3 p.m.: Gospel Sunday, Grey Roots Museum &
Archives (outdoor stage)
Blessing and acknowledgement: Valerie Tillman
Entertainment: Diana Braithwaite & Chris Whiteley and Liberty Silver with Eddie Bullen (add hyperlinks to 1-minute video clips)



The Emancipation Festival originally called the Emancipation Day Picnic, commemorates the British Commonwealth Emancipation Act of August 1, 1834. Since 1862, descendants of those who escaped slavery and found freedom and peace in Canada, gather in Owen Sound`s beautiful Harrison Park and other places such as the Grey Roots Museum and Archives over the Civic holiday weekend. This is a time for fellowship and reflection with family and community, to share memories, and keep the picnic and other traditions alive for future generations. 



It’s also a time to celebrate Emancipation Day and 160 years of the longest continuous festival in North America! August 1, 2022 will be the second Emancipation Day since Bill M-36 was unanimously passed in the House of Commons to officially recognize this significant day across Canada.


With sincere gratitude


The Emancipation Festival, a not-for-profit organization, is grateful for the support from the government, community organizations, businesses, individuals and volunteers. We couldn’t have done this without you!