Before the bells of freedom rang for enslaved people in the 1800s, many of them traveled to the shores of Lake Erie.
Today, the same lake serves as a reminder of its former status as a passport to freedom.
“This was one of the areas where enslaved people came to get away and have their freedom,” said Sandusky resident Victor Huston.
Sandusky has more than ten homes that were part of the Underground Railroad; the city was so well-known for its underground railroad connections that author Harriet Beecher Stowe included it in her best-selling novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin.
“It was the groundwork for the opportunities that we have today and the freedom that we have and we’re able to exercise,” claimed Huston.
And because Sandusky was the final stop for thousands of slaves attempting to reach Canada, many black residents in the area are surprised that there isn’t a larger Juneteenth celebration.
“When I was in school, I had never heard of this day; it was not something we celebrated. And now that we have this opportunity to celebrate, we want to make sure we do it every year. Monica Kirskey, a Sandusky resident, said, “And I would like it if the city and various organizations came together to have one big celebration rather than splitting up.”
Juneteenth became a national holiday in 2021, and now Sandusky residents are working to expand their celebration. Over the next four days, people can commemorate the legal abolition of slavery in the United States.
At the Sandusky Career Center, they provided free haircuts, food, face painting, and an opportunity to learn about the history of Juneteenth, as well as topics that are rarely discussed.
“The celebration brings us together and gives us a voice at a time when it is greatly needed. So, this opportunity allows us to celebrate, to bring families and the community together as one,” Huston said.
According to Huston, Juneteenth is a call to action.
“You must speak up, be seen, and heard before any action can be taken. And I believe we as a community should get together more often, not just on Juneteenth. This day is just the beginning and celebration of where we can take the freedom that we have been exercising, but we want to keep and expand on our freedom. “Because we deserve that in our community,” Huston stated.
Freedom Fest in Downtown Sandusky begins Friday and runs through Sunday. There will be live music, basketball tournaments, food trucks, and family activities.
