Longest-running Emancipation Day celebration returns to Owen Sound People gathered at Harrison Park in Owen Sound to celebrate, reflect and reconnect on Saturday. Article content History feels near enough to touch at the longest-running Emancipation Day Festival in Owen Sound. Try refreshing your browser, or Longest-running Emancipation Day celebration returns to Owen Sound Back to video We apologize, but this video has failed to load. Article content The 164th Owen Sound Emancipation Festival is held in recognition of the British Commonwealth Emancipation Act of Aug. 1, 1834, as well as the United States Emancipation Proclamation of Jan. 1, 1863. In her opening remarks, Owen Sound Emancipation Festival chair Joan John said the event serves as an annual reminder of a continuing struggle.