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The August Civic Holiday weekend signals the time to celebrate a long-standing tradition in Oakville. The Oakville Museum, in partnership with the Canadian Caribbean Association of Halton (CCAH), is inviting residents to celebrate the annual Emancipation Day Family Picnic at Erchless Estate on Monday, Aug. 1. The special event, which runs from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., commemorates Aug. 1, 1834- the day slavery was abolished in Canada and throughout the British Empire. The Emancipation Day picnic dates back to 1850, when African Canadians from across the nation would gather at Oakville's George's Square to honour their journey to freedom. "We're very proud of Oakville's connection to the abolishment of slavery and the annual picnic is a chance for the community to celebrate that important part of our town's heritage," said Oakville Mayor Rob Emancipation Day tradition for civic holiday Burton. The free afternoon will feature music, dance, games, crafts and activities highlighting Oakville's role in the Underground Railroad as a port of entry to Canada. Live lakeside entertainment will include performances by Beyond Sound Empijah, The Hope Centre Gospel Choir and CCAH Steel Pan Performers. Everyone is encouraged to bring a lawn chair and pack a picnic lunch or purchase delicious food from Mixed Grill BBQ. An ice cream truck will also be onsite. The Oakville Museum at Erchless Estate is located at 8 Navy St., in downtown Oakville and is easily accessible by foot, bike or public transit. Visit www.oakvilletransit.ca for routes and schedules. For more information on this event or other Oakville Museum programs and activities, visit www.oakville.ca/museum or call 905-338-4400. A display at a previous Emancipation Day event in Oakville. | Oakville Beaver file photo With the arrival of the Civic Holiday, the Town of Oakville is informing residents about what is open and what is not during the holiday weekend. Town staff said on Monday, Aug. 1, all outdoor Town-owned pools will be open as will the Oakville Museum. On the flipside for Aug. 1, Town Hall, community centres, arenas, all indoor pools, seniors' centres, youth centres, the Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts and the Kinoak Arena Skateboard Park will be closed. All libraries will be closed Sunday, July 31 and Monday, Aug. 1. What's closed? 13 | Friday, July 29, 2016 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com Oakville Transit is offering its holiday service schedule on Monday, Aug. 1 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Visit www.oakvilletransit.ca for details. The Oakville Fire Department is reminding residents to take the proper precautions to stay safe this holiday weekend, particularly if their plans involve outdoor fires or fireworks. To report emergencies related to roads, traffic lights and signs, parks and trees or flooding and storms outside of Service Oakville's hours of operation, call 905-845-6606 to be connected with an afterhours dispatch service. Interlocking Tumblestone, Retaining Walls, Garden Installation, Sodding & Excavating, Call for FREE Estimate plus more (905) 827-8158 · www.rogerslandscaping.org Have you had enough of the Leaf Blowers? Complete our one question survey at www.LetsRake.com Celebrating 20 Years Trafalgar Ridge Montessori School DIAMOND Thank you for once again nominating us in the Best Montessori Schools category! Register today for September Montessori JK or Grades 1, 2, 3 · Enriched Individualized Curriculum · Enhanced French Language Instruction · Comprehensive Music & Phys. Ed. Programs · Low Students To Teacher Ratio 2379 TRAFALGAR ROAD, UNIT 6 OAKVILLE · 905.257.5955 www.trms.ca admin@trms.ca