Join the Town of Oakville and CCAH for the annual Emancipation Day Picnic on August 5

Residents are invited to join in for a vibrant community celebration to commemorate Emancipation Day. The Town of Oakville and the Canadian Caribbean Association of Halton (CCAH) are hosting the annual Emancipation Day Picnic at the grounds of the Oakville Museum at Erchless Estate on Monday, August 5, 2024, from 1 to 4 p.m. 

Attendees are encouraged to pre-order a free, hot Caribbean meal prepared by Chef Romaine Newell to be enjoyed at the event. An exciting new menu is being introduced for 2024 for both adults and children. Meals will be served between 1 to 3 p.m. Attendees are reminded to pre-order now.

On the day of the event, bring lawn chairs and a blanket to enjoy pre-ordered meals while listening to a performance by Kevin Adams & Voices of Praise choir. Families can also join in activities with entertainer Nick Gordon. 

Attendees can learn about Oakville’s rich Black history in many ways: take an outdoor walking tour to learn about Oakville’s early Black history or step inside the museum to explore the exhibit "Freedom, Opportunity and Family: Oakville’s Black History" and the multimedia presentation, "The Underground Railroad: Next Stop Freedom." Contemporary voices can also be heard in "Legacy Voices I and II." Participants can also join the Oakville Public Library's Storytime and browse books on display as part of the “Library on the Go” book bikes.

Located at 8 Navy Street in downtown Oakville, the Oakville Museum at Erchless Estate is easily accessible by foot, bike, or public transit. Visit the Oakville Transit website for the holiday schedule. Drivers can also plan ahead by viewing the online parking map of downtown Oakville. 

Additional Emancipation Day celebrations

The CCAH will also celebrate Emancipation Day with a proclamation and unveiling of a dedication plaque to founders Icilda Bailey and the late long-time president Veronica Tyrrell in the CCAH Community & Harmony Garden at Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre, 2302 Bridge Rd., on Emancipation Day, August 1 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Light refreshments will be served by Oakville Fish and Chips. Registration is required to plan food service for this free event.

In partnership with the Oakville Public Library, Oakville Museum, and the Oakville and Bronte Historical societies, residents are invited to join guided tours of Bronte Harbour or Kerr Village to explore sites related to Oakville’s Black heritage. Register for the Bronte bike tour on Sunday, August 4 from noon to 1:30 p.m. or the Kerr walking tour taking place Sunday, August 4 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Registration is required for these free events.

For more information on these events or other programs and activities please visit the town’s events calendar, the Oakville Museum page or CCAH page.

Background

• August 1 is officially recognized across Canada as Emancipation Day. This date is significant because it marks the day in 1834 when slavery was abolished in Canada and throughout the British Empire. As a community, we celebrate the sense of freedom and liberation this day brings recognizing Oakville’s role in the Underground Railroad as a port of entry to Canada. 
• The Emancipation Day Picnic in Oakville dates back to 1850, when African Canadians from across the province would gather at Oakville’s George’s Square to honour their journey to freedom.

Quotes

"Emancipation Day provides us with an opportunity to reflect upon and renew our commitment to advancing diversity, fostering inclusion, and ensuring equity for all members of our community. I invite Oakville residents to join us at the Emancipation Day picnic on the grounds of the Oakville Museum at Erchless Estate on Monday, August 5.”
- Mayor Rob Burton

“We celebrate Emancipation Day because it is important to recognize the impact that generations of Black families have had in building Oakville and Halton Region to what it is today. But through our four pillars of education, culture, community and harmony, we work throughout the year to shed light on all aspects of Oakville’s history and strive for understanding and harmony within the community.”
- Sheldon Williams, CCAH President