A group that promotes tourism in Ontario hopes Windsor residents will support an upcoming event exploring the food served on Emancipation Day.
Local artist Tonya Sutherland-Stewart has been researching the role food played in what she calls "Windsor's Greatest Freedom Show on Earth."
She'll host the event at the Art Gallery of Windsor on September 24 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
"I will invite the audience to experience some of the spirit of the celebrations by sharing a meal and enjoying musical performances together," she told Ontario Culture Days.
Ontario Culture Days, as an organization, has been around since 2015, but this is the first year it is promoting programming in ten different cities across the province called "Regional Hubs."
Windsor is one of ten cities taking part between September 23 and October 16. Others holding events include Guelph, Toronto, Sault Ste. Marie, and Ottawa.
"Sometimes we don't know our own home, or we don't know our own community," said Spokesperson Nawal Salim. "Being able to travel within the province and see the vast diversity of it, recognize our history or Indigenous history; it's a priority of Ontario Culture Days to remind people."
(Photo courtesy of E. Andrea Moore Heritage Collection via Ontario Culture Days)
Sutherland-Stewart's project focuses on Emancipation Day celebrations in Jackson Park from the 1930s to the 1960s.
Emancipation celebrations started in Windsor soon after the British Empire passed the Slavery Abolition Act in 1834.
They grew to week-long events between the 30s and 60s to include musical performances, beauty contests, barbeques, and a parade.
Sutherland-Stewart is developing educational resources, digital archives, and a documentary.