133rd Annual Emancipation Day Celebration
				(1863-1996)
		Gallia County Fairgrounds, Gallipolis, OHIO

	Free Mind - Free Body - Free Soul - Free at Last

THE EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION ... has been celebrated and honored in Gallia
County since 1863. This area has with the exception of 1887 consecutively
paid tribute to this historic document.
The Celebration began on the 22nd of September, no matter which day of the
week it happened to be. It was conducted in a religious atmosphere. However,
such fun activities as baseball, sack racing, hogcalling and greasy pole
climbing were also included to stimulate the interest and maintain the 
enthousiasm.                                  
Such places as Kerr Station, Vinton "Bean Dinner" Park, Bush Park, Bidwell-
Porter, and the Gallia County Fairgrounds have served as sites for the
celebration.
As many as 1,600 to 2,00 people have attended a program. Places as far away as
California have been represented. As a matter of fact, the Emancipation 
sometimes is thought of as a "homecoming" for this area. Along  with paying
tribute and acknowledgement to the freedom of Blacks, guests have gained
much from seeing their family and friends.

			
Date: September 21 and 22, 1996

More program information to appear in this space soon!

			***********************
	
                    RV/ Camping Facilites Available

The Gallia County Fairgrounds are located on 364 (Jackson Pike) opposite
Holzer Hospital, Gallipolis, OH
DIRECTIONS: from Athens: Route 33 to Route 7 to EXIT SR 160 to Gallia Co. FG

Posted on behalf of:	Sara J. D. Sow, President
			EMANCIPATION DAY CELEBRATION
			P.O. Box 511
			Gallipolis, Ohio 45631
			E-mail: sjsow@urgrgcc.edu


mp06-14-96