Owen Sound Emancipation Festival celebrates 163 years
"On behalf of the City of Owen Sound, we welcome home ancestors, families, and friends to celebrate Black history, culture and community. I hope many citizens attend the Emancipation Festival and take part in this powerful tradition," said Mayor Ian Boddy.
August 1 - Speaker's Corner, Grey Roots Museum & Archives, 6-10 pm: Keynote speakers Carolynn and Sylvia Wilson, co-owners, Sheffield Park Black History Museum; honouring ancestors' presentation; dance performance; crier recognition; music by Bobby Dean Blackburn; appetizers and refreshments available. $25 admission.
August 2 - Emancipation Festival & Picnic, Harrison Park, 9:30 am - 9 pm.: breakfast for sale; welcome Freedom Walkers, M`Wikwedong Indigenous Friendship Centre Drummers, Black History Cairn storytelling; feature performers Joel Morelli, Kaiya Cade Smith Blackburn and Bobby Dean Blackburn; information booths, food and merchandise vendors, DJ and karaoke; donations appreciated.
August 3 - Gospel Sunday, British Methodist Episcopal Church of Owen Sound, noon - 3 p.m.: Rev. Cosmos Dzuda welcome; Bobby Dean Blackburn; David Sereda and Trinity Church choirs; refreshments; $10 suggested donation.
"We are excited about this festival, particularly to experience Gospel Sunday at the BME Church of Owen Sound. After tireless community advocacy, we are returning to our roots where gospel was housed years past," shared chair Linda Johnson about festival changes.
The board is thankful for the generosity from funders, sponsors, partners and volunteers, notably the Government of Canada, Bruce Power, Timmins Martelle Heritage Consultants, Ontario Power Generation, Mix 106.5 and 560 CFOS, Caribbean Vibrations, Grey County, City of Owen Sound and Grey Roots Museum & Archives.
Since 1862, descendants of freedom seekers, allies, and community members have gathered in Owen Sound's Harrison Park, Grey Roots Museum & Archives and the BME Church over the civic holiday weekend to reflect, reconnect, and celebrate emancipation. The Festival, originally known as the Emancipation Day Picnic, remains a vibrant tradition commemorating the British Commonwealth Emancipation Act of August 1, 1834. The Festival's work ensures that the stories of resilience and liberation are kept alive and passed down to future generations.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Cision Canada
21 hours ago
- Cision Canada
Music in the Royal Grove at Rideau Hall
OTTAWA, ON, July 24, 2025 /CNW/ - The grounds of Rideau Hall will echo with the sweet strains of chamber music July 26 and 27, 2025, as Ottawa Chamberfest returns to the Royal Grove for some relaxing afternoon performances. Guests are welcome to bring their own chairs or blankets and relax in the shade with an interlude of live music. This year, artists include ensembles from the Central Band of the Canadian Armed Forces, who will play classical favourites with a focus on brass and woodwinds; and Duo Despax, featuring violinist Cendrine Despax and cellist Valérie Despax, who will come together for two performances of eclectic repertoire for violin and cello, ranging from Taylor Swift to Mozart. Central Band of the Canadian Armed Forces Saturday, July 26, 2025 2:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Despax Duo Sunday, July 27, 2025 2:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. In the case of inclement weather, Chamberfest programming will be moved indoors. Visitors are encouraged to walk, bike or use public transportation to get to Rideau Hall (1 Sussex Drive). Limited parking is available on the adjoining streets. In July, Rideau Hall offers daily access to the grounds, the Visitor Centre and the heart garden. Guided tours of the residence are available throughout the day, on a first come, first served basis. Please note that Rideau Hall is a working residence; scheduling for all activities is subject to change without notice due to official events. About Chamberfest For over 30 years, Ottawa Chamberfest has been celebrating the art of the small ensemble. Through its summer festival, concert series and community programming, Chamberfest seeks to unite audiences and artists through high-quality performances in distinctive settings.
Cision Canada
a day ago
- Cision Canada
CANADA DRY AND ROOTS LAUNCH ICONIC NEW COLLAB Français
, July 24, 2025 /CNW/ - Your new summer wardrobe staples have arrived. Today, Canada's #1 Ginger Ale*, Canada Dry®, and global lifestyle brand Roots®, unveiled a new summer capsule collection: The Limited-Edition Canada Dry x Roots Summer Collection. This exclusive collection combines the spirit of two iconic Canadian brands in one crisp collab. Designed by Roots in partnership with Canada Dry, the two brands have come together with the goal of showcasing their rich Canadian heritage and celebrating moments of connection and relaxation that only a Canadian summer can bring. The outcome: a specially crafted capsule collection that's both refreshing, carefree and iconically Canadian. "For over a century, Canada Dry has provided Canadians with moments of refreshment and been a staple of Canadian summers, so we're thrilled to be coming together with another iconic brand for this one-of-a-kind collaboration," says Ruben Beltran, Senior Brand Manager, Canada Dry. "From dock days to patio parties - Canadians can soak up all that summer has to offer in this incredible new collection alongside the crisp ginger flavour of Canada Dry." "Roots and Canada Dry are two iconic brands woven into the fabric of Canadian life," says Leslie Golts, Chief Marketing Officer, Roots. "This partnership is more than just style and refreshment; it is about capturing the feeling of summer and nostalgia that has brought people together for generations. Every item in this collection is crafted to inspire connection: to people, to Canadian memories, and the great outdoors." The collection features a distinct logo mash-up across all pieces: the Roots beaver, sporting the crown from Canada Dry's iconic logo, a nod to the rich Canadian heritage shared by both brands. Designs were inspired by vintage ads from the Canada Dry archive and the timeless charm of traditional Canadian summer vacations. The collection features two vintage-inspired graphic prints which bring nostalgia to life through thoughtful details: a green car, a custom license plate and 'Welcome To Canada Dry Country' sign ground the setting, with the iconic Roots beaver sitting proudly on the front of the boat. Each print captures a different side of the country, with one reflecting the East and the other the West. There are two hero items in the capsule drop, both designed and made in Canada: A roomy and soft hoodie made with organic cotton fibres, emblazoned with the shared logo ($138.00 CAD). Two ultra-soft graphic tees delivering all-day lounge-worthy style, featuring graphic prints inspired by vintage Canada Dry advertisements ($54.00 CAD). Both items are gender-free and designed with a relaxed fit, so they feel just as good as they look. The full Limited-Edition Canada Dry x Roots Summer Collection will be available at starting July 25. Fans in the Greater Toronto Area are welcome to shop the collab IRL while sipping complementary Canada Dry Ginger Ale at a co-branded pop-up inspired by iconic Canadian summers, taking place at The Well from July 25-27. For more information on this collaboration, check out *Source: Nielsen Discovery ABOUT CANADA DRY Canada Dry® Ginger Ale began in 1904 as Pale Ginger Ale. Its founder, John J. McLaughlin, owned a sparkling water plant in Canada, so when he saw the rise in popularity of more syrupy ginger ales, he set to work perfecting a lighter version. This became the Canada Dry Ginger Ale we know today. During Prohibition, Canada Dry Ginger Ale became a popular mixer to mask the taste of the period's harsh liquors. Often called the champagne of soda, it was marketed toward the refined crowd for many decades. And since its creation, Canada Dry Ginger Ale, with its real ginger taste, has been the drink of choice for those seeking something soothing and refreshing. Canada Dry is now a part of the Keurig Dr Pepper beverage portfolio. ABOUT ROOTS Established in 1973, Roots is a global lifestyle brand. Starting from a small cabin in northern Canada, Roots has become a global brand with over 100 corporate retail stores in Canada, two stores in the United States, and an eCommerce platform, We have more than 100 partner-operated stores in Asia, and we also operate a dedicated Roots-branded storefront on in China. We design, market, and sell a broad selection of products in different departments, including women's, men's, children's, and gender-free apparel, leather goods, footwear, and accessories. Our products are built with uncompromising comfort, quality, and style that allows you to feel At Home With Nature™. We offer products designed to meet life's everyday adventures and provide you with the versatility to live your life to the fullest. We also wholesale through business-to-business channels and license the brand to a select group of licensees selling products to major retailers. Roots Corporation (TSX: ROOT), is a Canadian corporation doing business as "Roots" and "Roots Canada".
Cision Canada
a day ago
- Cision Canada
NEW HORIZON FOR SINGER DIMASH Français
MONTREAL, July 24, 2025 /CNW/ - With an incomparable voice and a stage presence that captivates audiences worldwide, singer Dimash Qudaibergen is embarking on new artistic adventures across Europe and North America. The Stranger tour continues Following recent tour announcements, fans can now look forward to spectacular performances in Riga, Berlin, London, Barcelona,New York and Mexico between October and December. Dimash, from Kazakhstan, is looking forward to showcasing his art and dreams around the world. At meetings organized in London and Barcelona with fans and the press, the artist, composer, performer and multi-instrumentalist shared that he has a multitude of projects in mind. While he admits that the song "SOS d'un terrien en détresse" is the one that has accompanied him since the beginning of his career, he is multiplying compositions blending different genres and vocal techniques. Each concert is a chance to present new and unexpected material. With more than 20 years of musical training and experience, Dimash brings exceptional depth to his performances. Known for his vocal range of over six octaves and his ability to shift effortlessly between styles from classical to pop, he continues to challenge expectations. For him, consistent work and the support of his fans remain the key to lasting success. A surprise duet with Lara Fabian While in London, Dimash joined none other than Lara Fabian in concert to perform the legendary song Adagio. He described her as one of the singers he most admires for her artistry, humility, and professionalism. In turn, Lara Fabian called Dimash one of the most impressive voices she has ever heard. Their duet was a powerful moment marked by mutual respect and exceptional combined talents. Dimash being involved in film-videos, and performing pop, rock, folk and classical creations, has recently sung with maestro Placido Domingo and renowned cellist Hauser, testifying to his artistic versatility and his desire to explore music without boundaries. Without doubt, an artist to discover. Upcoming concerts New York October 5, 2025 Mexico October 8, 2025 Barcelona November 8, 2025 London November 12, 2025 Berlin November 14, 2025 Riga December 12, 2025
