Friday, August 2, 2024
6:00 p.m. 9:00 p.m.
Grey Roots Museum & Archives102599 Grey Road 18, RR4 Owen Sound Canada (map)
Check back soon for event details!
Check back soon for event details!
Friday, August 2, 2024
6:00 p.m. 9:00 p.m.
Grey Roots Museum & Archives 102599 Grey Road 18, RR4 Owen Sound Canada (map)
Check back soon for event details!
Check back soon for event details!
Owen Sound Attack will face off against the London Knights on Saturday, February 3 at 7 p.m. for a charity hockey game to commemorate Black History Month.
On game night and throughout the month, fans will enjoy stories from local Black hockey players, alumni and other community members. They will share their experiences and positive impacts made towards the hockey world and other diversity and inclusion efforts.
Fans can also visit information booths (Owen Sound Emancipation Festival, Sheffield Park Black History Museum & Cultural Centre, British Methodist Episcopal Church of Owen Sound - a designated Black Heritage Site and Greenwood Cemetery`s Potter's Field Monument and Interpretive Plaque Project), learn about Black history in and around Owen Sound and Grey and Bruce counties, and bid on some great prizes.
Attack players will wear specially-designed jerseys that will be auctioned off online starting Monday, January 29 to Sunday, February 5 at 6 p.m.
All proceeds from game sponsorship, fundraising and donations will go directly to the Emancipation Festival and Team Jamaica, helping to ensure that they can continue to function, raise awareness, and support Black families and hockey players locally and beyond.
For more information about this fundraiser, visit the Owen Sound Attack at https:/chl.ca/ohl-attack/black-history-month-2024. Learn more about the Emancipation Festival at https://www.emancipation.ca.
Entertainment by: Diana Braithwaite & Chris Whiteley (blues and gospel) and Bobby Dean Blackburn (rhythm & blues, jazz and gospel)
This event is free. Donations are welcome and appreciated.
PLEASE NOTE: No dogs are allowed at the gospel or on the grounds of the museum with the exception of service dogs. Thank you for your understanding.
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The Emancipation Festival is a not-for-profit organization and is grateful for the support from individuals, businesses, community organizations and government.
On Saturday night, after the festivities in Harrison Park simmer down, move on up to Heartwood Hall – the last stop on the Freedom Train! The groove masters at Higher FunkTion are bringing the heat, your feet will be their beat! Rise up, boogie down, and don’t forget your dancing shoes!
Come out and dance the night away with live performers Higher FunkTion at this fantastic concert hall in the heart of downtown Owen Sound!
All are welcome to join the celebration. Tickets are $20 online. Funds raised through ticket sales will support the Emancipation Festival.
9 a.m. – Coffee, light breakfast and mingle
11 a.m. – Greetings by Crier of the Emancipation Bruce Kruger and Mayor Ian Boddy, Welcome and blessing by Evangelist Valerie Tillman, About the Black History Cairn by Bonita Johnson-deMatteis, Chippewa Travellers (Aniishinaabeg family drummers) and special guests - the UGRR 9 cyclists from Maryland!
Noon – 6 p.m. – Welcome remarks. Entertainment by Josh Ritchie (Rock & Roll), Ruth Mathiang (Traditional & Afrobeat), and Jay Douglas (Reggae & Blues)
Live entertainment, information booths, food vendors, silent auction, races and other activities!
Special thanks to Grey County, St. John Ambulance, Owen Sound Police Community Engagement Unit, Sheffield Black History Museum with Friends of the Negro Creek Settlement and Gael Miller, the Cousins Ancestry Project, and Georgian Bay Arts (customize your own t-shirt!), Coral`s Caribbean Restaurant and Dede`s Authentic African Kitchen, and special guests UGRR9 cyclists from Maryland!
This event is free. Donations are welcome and appreciated.
Welcome: Bruce Johnson, Vice Chair, Emancipation Festival
Opening remarks: Ovid Jackson, former Member of Parliament and Mayor of Owen Sound
Guest speakers (individual presentations, roundtable and Q&A)
Joan John, Councillor, Township of Southgate
Dr. Deepikaa Gupta, Local Immigration Partnership Manager, Grey Bruce Local Immigration Partnership
Tony Miller, Artist & Storyteller
Rob Green, Artist & Storyteller
Discussion moderator: Cyrus Sundar Singh
Entertainment: Bobby Dean Blackburn
$25 (purchase in advance) . Appetizers and refreshments will be provided. Space is limited.
Speaker's Corner is the preeminent and beloved forum to engage themes of Black history and liberatory futures as part of the Emancipation Day celebrations. There is artful ancestral remembrance, a sharp view of the present moment, and future-facing changemaking among our guests. Each has a unique approach to what Emancipation means for us today and tomorrow.
Welcome by Jeff Smith, Chair, Emancipation Festival
Blessing and acknowledgement by Valerie Tillman
Entertainment by Diana Braithwaite & Chris Whiteley and Liberty Silver with Eddie Bullen
This event is free. Donations are welcome and appreciated.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO REUNITING WITH EVERYONE AND CELEBRATING THE 160TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE EMANCIPATION PICNIC/FESTIVAL!
Harrison Park
9 a.m. - Light breakfast/coffee (while quantities last) and mingle
11 a.m. – Greetings and ringing in ceremony by Bruce C. Kruger, Crier of the Emancipation with escort Lynn Kruger, commemorative celebration and about the Black History Cairn by Bonita Johnson-deMatteis and gospel music by Gael Miller-Jackson
Noon – 6 p.m. – Welcome by Jeff Smith, Chair
Greetings by Alex Ruff, Member of Parliament, Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound and Ian Boddy, Mayor of Owen Sound
Blessing and acknowledgement by Evangelist Valerie Tillman
Entertainment by the Trevor MacKenzie Band, Blackburn and the Sattalites
Special guests include Bobby Dean Blackburn and Liberty Silver
Displays, food vendors, races and other activities
This event is free. Donations are welcome and appreciated.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO REUNITING WITH EVERYONE AND CELEBRATING THE 160TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE EMANCIPATION PICNIC/FESTIVAL!
Meet and greet: Appetizers and refreshments will be provided. Guests can enjoy music, a Black history display and gallery exhibit
Opening remarks/greetings: Jeff Smith, Chair of the Emancipation Festival, Ian Boddy, Mayor of Owen Sound and Dwight Burley, Mayor of the Township of Georgian Bluffs Dwight Burley
Guest speakers: Diana Braithwaite and Kathy Grant
Entertainment: Bobby Dean Blackburn and Diana Braithwaite & Chris Whiteley
Tickets can be purchased for $20 in advance through EventBrite. You are also welcome to send us an email to reserve tickets, and payment can be made at the door. Please note that space is limited in the theatre. Appetizers and refreshments will be provided.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO REUNITING WITH EVERYONE AND CELEBRATING THE 160TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE EMANCIPATION PICNIC/FESTIVAL!
We are excited to host the 160th anniversary of the longest continuous Emancipation Day Picnic in North America – dedicated to preserving a 160-year legacy to honour Black ancestors and Canada`s rich and diverse history.
What began as a simple picnic to celebrate Emancipation Day, the festival and picnic has continued since 1862 in Owen Sound, known as the most northern terminus of the Underground Railroad.
People of all backgrounds who appreciate history, family, culture, and community come from near and far for fellowship, reflection, storytelling and entertainment.
Interested in being a part of this special event in Owen Sound`s beautiful Harrison Park on Saturday, July 30?
Send us an email with ``Vendor expression of interest`` in the subject line
Share brief details about who you are and what you do
Include your day/evening phone number, and web and social media links
Space is limited, so only those vendors with the greatest appeal will be contacted with more details. The deadline is Wednesday, June 1 by 5 p.m.
As a not-for-profit organization, we are grateful for all the support we have received from government, community organizations, businesses, individuals and volunteers. This allows us to continue our important work and keep the picnic and other traditions alive for future generations.
Thank you for your interest!
More about the Emancipation Festival
Visit us on Facebook and Instagram
Email us at owensoundemancipationfestival@gmail.com
Bruce Kruger, the Official Crier of the Emancipation kicked off with an opening address followed by greetings from Mayor Ian Boddy, Senator Wanda Thomas Bernard and a host of speakers and performers who have graced the Festival over the years. Memories of past festivals and events were shared in the form of photos, video performances, a Taste of the Festival Jam and the Gospel in Moreston Village and so much more. .
Owen Sound Emancipation Festival Digital 2020 YouTube Premiere -
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQZno52nAsHlzAHmzJNiWLg
Grey Roots Museum & Archives
102599, Grey County Rd 18, Owen Sound, ON N4K 5N6
Featuring TONY KENNETH MILLER
DADDY HALL: A Biography in 80 Linocuts
Join us in celebrating the journey of our ancestors within the Underground Railroad’s most northerly safe haven. Bring your family and friends for a weekend of music, art, storyboards, crafts, children’s’ games, speakers, literature & other activities.
Individuals interested in … history, family, culture and community have been congregating every August long weekend since 1862 in Owen Sound, “the most northerly retreat of the Underground Railroad journey in Canada”. Descendants of Blacks, who came via the Underground Railroad to settle in freedom, gather to reminisce and enjoy a time of fellowship.
Spend an evening with the internationally renowned author of the Book of Negroes, Any Known Blood and his latest work The Illegal. Lawrence will discuss his research, his writing and his personal interpretation of world social events.
Admission $30 through The Roxy Box Office
Doors Open at 6:30pm for book signing. Books will also be available for purchase.
Musical Entertainment by Bobby Dean Blackburn & Friends
On April 8th our annual Black History Event will take place at Grey Roots Museum & Archives. Steve Harris will be one of our presenters and will share his journey as he traced his family roots, discovered new relatives and became part of the "North is Freedom" exhibit which debuted at the Canadian embassy in Washington last fall.
Admission $25.00 in advance online or at the door.
Lunch and refreshments will be provided throughout the day.
The Grey County Historical Society Presents: The Old Durham Road Pioneer Cemetery
This historic Black settlement burial ground dates to the mid-1800s. It served the local community until the 1880s. By the 1930s the site had reverted to a farmers’ field and the gravestones were either ploughed under or removed. Four headstones were found in a rock pile north of the site in 1990 before it was dedicated once again as a cemetery by then Lt. Gov. Lincoln Alexander. In 2015, a memorial pavilion was built on the site to house the stones and commemorate early Black pioneer families. Maintained by a volunteer committee, the site serves to honour early settlers and commemorate their contributions to the opening up of the Queen’s Bush. Come out and learn more about this local historic site.
*** Presenters will be Naomi Norquay from York University and Nancy Matthews from the Grey Highlands Heritage Centre. Please bring a lawn chair.
Wednesday August 17th, 2016 at 1:30pm
Location: Turn West onto County Road 4 at the lights in Flesherton (turn right if coming from the north); turn left onto Grey Road 14 and turn left onto Durham Road B. Destination will be on the left.
Join us in celebrating the journey of our ancestors within the Underground Railroad’s most northerly safe haven. Bring your family and friends for a weekend of music, art, storyboards, crafts, children’s’ games, speakers, literature & other activities.
Individuals interested in … history, family, culture and community have been congregating every August 1st weekend since 1862 in Owen Sound, “the most northerly retreat of the Underground Railroad journey in Canada”. Descendants of blacks, who came via the Underground Railroad to settle in freedom, gather to reminisce and enjoy a time of fellowship.
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Owen Sound Town Crier Bruce Kruger will pass through Harrison Park and put out the call for us all to gather together at the Cairn for a special tribute and reading to celebrate the history of Emancipation Day.
This is an important moment at our festival each year when we take the time to reflect on what has all brought us together on this day.
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Join us for the annual Ancestors Breakfast as the Courtney family of Owen Sound serves up warm delicious pancakes for you to enjoy as you spend time catching up with local and visiting family and friends.
The Ancestors Breakfast is the perfect way to kick off your Emancipation Picnic Day.
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Join us for the annual Emancipation Festival Speakers Forum. The evening commences with a social hour featuring a Coffin Ridge wine bar and the opening of the Archie Alleyne photo exhibit which feature many of Canada's jazz and blues musicians, announcers and booking agents. Our own Tommy Earlls, Val Abbott, Bobby Dean Blackburn and Billie Blackburn are included. The exhibit has been provided by the Archie Alleyne Scholarship Fund. Archie was a jazz drummer who's resume includes teaming with many of the greats.
Our first presenter of the evening is Cyrus Sundar-Singh who will combine his many talents as a writer, musician and videographer to present " Africville in Black & White" a story which includes his personal insights as he was introduced to and researched this sad event in Nova Scotia's history.
This is our 2nd year to offer our " Les Mackinnon Memorial Presentation " . This year Barry Penhale will fill this role as he shares his life's experiences as a friend and fan of many of Canada's noted jazz and blues greats. Over the years Barry's work for CBC and as a book editor has overlapped with his love of the Canadian music scene to provide a vast library of stories and memories. This presentation featuring recorded music, pictures and spoken word will be a perfect fit with the Archie Alleyne exhibit.
Admission $20 in advance online or at the door.
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“A story of strength, perseverance and endurance.”
Black Roots in Grey is the next chapter in the history of Grey County’s Black community. With the arrival of the earliest settlers such as John “Daddy” Hall, Richard Ringo, and others, Black people have worked hard to make a place for themselves where they could live and raise their children in freedom and peace.
Black Roots tells the stories surrounding the earliest Black settlements. It looks at the history surrounding the Old Durham Road near Priceville, including the heartbreaking stories surrounding the prejudicial desecration of Black graves in that area. Black Roots talks about the steady progress made by Black community members to gain a foothold in their communities despite prejudice and discrimination.
Black Roots celebrates the successes of many Black community members as they gained acceptance and prospered. It honours such local Black figures as former Owen Sound Mayor and Ontario MP Ovid Jackson, musician entertainer Tommy Earlls, and others. It also outlines the early beginnings of the Emancipation Picnic and follows its growth and evolution into the three day weekend celebration many of us know as the Emancipation Festival.
Black Roots in Grey is an eye-opening and important exhibit which adds another chapter to our Grey County history.
