August 1st, 1834 slavery was abolished throughout the British Empire. The government of Upper Canada (Ontario) thereby formally enacted the Emancipation Proclamation. Today, it is known as Emancipation Day. It is, as the website says, http://www.emancipation.ca/a day which is “promoted as a great celebration in Upper Canada. It encouraged thousands to escape slavery in America, and follow the North Star to freedom in Canada”.
There will be picnics held throughout the province, and one of them will be at Harrison Park which is in Owen Sound.
The Bruce and Grey Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society http://tiffanyweb.bmts.com/~bgogs/will hold a picnic on July 30, 2011 from 1:00 p.m. to 10 p.m.. It will mark the 144th Emancipation Festival. There will be a Celebration of Family History, Fellowship, Oral History, Documented History, Community Culture and Roots.