Owen Sound Emancipation Festival

The Emancipation Festival in beautiful Grey, Bruce & Simcoe Counties is the longest continuous running Emancipation Picnic in North America.

The Owen Sound Emancipation Celebration Picnic commemorates the British Commonwealth Emancipation Act of August 1, 1834. Owen Sound and area residents have been celebrating this occasion since 1862 and have incorporated celebrating the United States Emancipation Proclamation of January 1, 1863.

The Emancipation Festival works in tandem with numerous community and cultural organizations to recognize Underground Railroad destination points (Owen Sound being the most Northerly terminus of the UGRR) and individuals descendent from the slaves who traveled its path. The picnic recognizes those who made this journey possible, and individuals interested in appreciating history, family, culture and community are welcome to join in the festivities.