The Buxton Homecoming is celebrating its centenary this long weekend.
The 100th anniversary of the homecoming will be held at the Buxton National Historic Site over four days during this Labour Day weekend. The Buxton National Historic Site is Canada's largest and most successful planned settlement that served as a haven for slaves seeking freedom from their American owners using the Underground Railroad.
Curator at Buxton National Historic Site and Museum Shannon Prince told CFCO Mornings with Dave and Cheryl the excitement has been brewing for several months.
"People have not been home for so many years and I think because of COVID and because of the border, we've been receiving calls saying I'm just going to wait until the 100th because that's going to be the one that I need to come to. And I think this is the time that people are really wanting to come home to reconnect with family because it's become so important with everything that's happening in the world," Prince said.
The homecoming starts on Friday with the Buxton History and Genealogy Conference at the North Buxton Community Church, but the genealogy conference is sold out.
"It's sold out this year and it's never been sold out before and I think it's because we haven't had the history genealogy conference for sometime and now it's getting back to where it used to be," said Prince.
Saturday events include the 30th Annual Family Feud Baseball Tournament, the start of the Classic 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament, the opening of a vendors market featuring products and services from various Black-owned businesses, and a Party in the Park with DJs, both at the North Buxton Community Park.
On Sunday, there's a morning Worship Service at the North Buxton Community Church, an afternoon service at the North Buxton Community Park where descendants of 1924 elected church leaders from five different families will be paying tribute to their ancestors.
A historical re-enactment is also scheduled at the park on Sunday evening to learn more about the remarkable, true story of the "Lemmon slaves" and their eventual arrival in Buxton in 1852.
"It's a wonderful story of a family of those that were enslaved in Virginia. They ended up in Buxton and Bryan (Prince) has located descendants of the slaves and the judge who presided in that court. So, everybody is going to come to share the rest of the story," Prince said.
The re-enactment is followed by a "Buxton's Got Talent" contest and a fireworks show.
The 100th Buxton Homecoming celebrations conclude on Monday with a car show, a parade, and the unveiling of a mural.
Children's inflatables, face painting, mini golf, and a petting zoo will also be available on Monday.
"This year, our 100th Homecoming promises to inspire special memories," said homecoming officials. "The variety of events over Labour Day weekend all have a historical flavour as befits one of Ontario's largest National Historic Sites that is dedicated to preserving and sharing the stories of slavery, the Underground Railroad, and a new world of possibilities."
The first homecoming was initiated by the Sunshine Club of the British Methodist Episcopal Church and was held on Labour Day 1924 in the pasture fields of Reginald and Minnie Robbins. This event was intended to draw those former residents who relocated to various parts of Canada and the United States for a return visit to the Buxton community.
"Traditionally, it started with a ball game under a pear tree and that pear tree is still standing. So, it's a real honour and a tribute to the pear tree itself in the middle of a bean field," Prince added.
More information about the Buxton Homecoming weekend can be found by clicking here.
