The celebration of Emancipation Day is here.
This day is so important as it was the day when the Slavery Abolition Act of 1833 became law across the British Empire, including Canada.
On August 1, 1834, the practice of slavery officially ended for millions of African people and their descendants in Canada and around the world.
Windsor-Essex County will be celebrating the day alongside the rest of the world.
Honouring 90 years since the first Emancipation Day celebration, the Emancipation Jubilee revives that magic by celebrating the vibrancy of the Black communities and individuals that call Windsor and Essex County home.
The Black Council of Windsor-Essex will be hosting three days filled with a variety of events to celebrate the day together across three different venues.
Opening ceremonies will be held today from 4 p.m. until 11 p.m. at the Caribbean Centre which will feature shows, a dance party as well Caribbean and African food.
On Sunday at Sandwich First Baptist Church from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. there will be a church service, a gospel concert, a parade, and a barbecue dinner.
The event will wrap up on Monday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Jackson Park’s recreational area, where Emancipation Day celebrations took place decades ago.
Lana Talbot, Board Member of the Black Council of Windsor-Essex, says it's going to be a big event this year.
She says what is planned for the morning before heading down to Sandwich Baptist Church.
"At one o'clock we're going to have a little parade from Charlotte Watkins house on Watkins Street, and we'll walk down Peter Street to the church, and just go into the church, maybe sing 'We Shall Overcome', or a pray song or something, and barbeque will be done, it'll be on."
She says what she's hoping the community will do while at the weekend events.
"I hope people come and celebrate. Come and have fun, enjoy, ask questions. That's the thing, you'll never learn anything if you don't ask a question."
She says Emancipation Day is about being with one another.
"Let's all gather together, we gather together. And we're stronger together."
The Emancipation Proclamation of August 1, 1834, ended slavery throughout the British Colonies, including Canada and parts of the Caribbean.
In March of 2021, the House of Commons unanimously voted to declare that August 1 be recognized as Emancipation Day across the country.
-with files from AM800's Rob Hindi