The Emancipation Festival invites you to Gospel Sunday to wrap up our weekend-long Emancipation Day celebrations and 162 years of the longest continuous festival in North America!

You will be treated to an afternoon of gospel and blues music on the beautiful grounds of Moreston Heritage Village.

Highlights:

Land acknowledgement

Blessing by Reverend Cosmos Jr. Nathanael Dzuda

Live entertainment: 

• David Sereda & Choir - a music maker, singer-songwriter, and Song Circle leader

• Liberty Silver - a multiple "Juno" and "Grammy" (collaboration) award-winning recording artist
  

Food and refreshments will be available.

As a not-for-profit organization, a suggested donation of $10 per person is welcome and appreciated. Help us reach our annual fundraising goal!

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.

The Emancipation Festival invites you to the annual picnic and festival to celebrate Emancipation Day and 162 years of the longest continuous festival in North America!

Bring your picnic basket and join us for a day filled with camaraderie, reflection and story telling,

Live entertainment, information tables, food vendors, silent auction, robotics demonstration, races and more!
9 am - Welcome and registration (picnic entrances)

10 am - Light breakfast ($10) and mingling

11 am - Black History Cairn Ceremony

• Greetings by Town Crier of the Emancipation, Land Acknowledgment, M`Wikwedong Indigenous Friendship Centre Drummers, Blessing (Tania Meikle), Remarks by Dignitaries (Deputy Mayor of Owen Sound Scott Greig, Mayor of Georgian Bluffs Sue Carleton, Member of Provincial Parliament of Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound Rick Byers, and Member of Parliament of Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound Alex Ruff) , Black History Cairn presentation (Bonita Johnson deMatteis) & 20th anniversary group photo

Noon - 6 pm

• Live entertainment - Joel Morelli, Kaiya Cade Smith Blackburn, and the Blackburn Brothers (tent)

• Written word presentations and races (Black History Cairn)

• Enjoy the performances, mingle, visit the information booths and food vendors, check out the silent auction and robotics demonstration, prize draws and more ! (picnic grounds)

This event is free. As a not-for-profit organization, donations are welcome and appreciated. You will receive a souvenir token of appreciation and a ticket for a draw.

Help us reach our annual fundraising goal! 

Join us for an evening of engaging dialogue with educators, historians and descendants of freedom seekers, live music, wine and cheese.

Highlights:

• Brooke Blackburn - Juno and Maple Blues Award nominee (live entertainment - reception)

• Land Acknowledgement - Ben Heywood-MacLeod

• Emcee and Presentation - Dr Cyrus Sundar Singh

  • “Following the Notes: The Journey of a Messenger from Africville to Emancipation to the Door of No Return”

• Artists' Rendition of Mary “Granny” Taylor (Tony Miller, Susan Washington, Bonita Johnson deMatteis, Valerie Tillman, and Linda Johnson)

• Sharing Memories (live and video presentations, comments and Q&A) 

• Rise Dance Group

Admission fee is $25. Advance tickets can be purchased on Eventbrite Online. Space in the theatre is limited.

Appetizers will be provided and refreshments will be available.

Note: No dogs are allowed on the grounds of the museum with the exception of service dogs. Thank you for your understanding.