Its a big weekend in Owen Sound with busloads of visitors expected in the area.
Its the 147th annual Emancipation Festival honouring the history of black pioneers in our region who landed here through the Underground Railroad.
Committee member Lisa Scott says tracing your family roots is a big part of the picnic being held at Harrison Park on Saturday between 1 PM and 9 PM.
She says there will be quite a few visitors here for the event — many of them return year after year from part of the U-S and Canada.
Scott says they’ve increased the number of bands this year to seven to create more of a festival feel — everything from R&B and soul to jazz and gospel.
The picnic also features cultural food, artwork and historical books.
The festival kicks off Friday evening at Grey Roots highlighting their Black History Exhibit and the Emancipation Festival Art Show.
On Sunday there’s an Afternoon of Gospel at the BME Church from 1 PM to 3 PM.
Scott says they’d like to extend an invitation to everyone in the Owen Sound area to come learn about a big part of their local history and culture.