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Talbot County Free Library previews Frederick Douglass Day parade, speakers and family activities for Sept. 27
Summary
Talbot County Free Library hosts and the Frederick Douglass Honor Society outlined the Sept. 27 Frederick Douglass Day schedule: parade at 10 a.m., a courthouse welcome program with local officials and scholars, family activities, exhibits at the library and a keynote lecture with a book signing.
Sabina Simonson, community liaison and volunteer coordinator for the Talbot County Free Library, and organizers from the Frederick Douglass Honor Society detailed the schedule and participants for Frederick Douglass Day, set for Saturday, Sept. 27, beginning at 10:00 a.m. sharp.
The parade will start at Glenwood and Washington streets and end at the courthouse, where a welcome program is expected to begin about 10:30 a.m. Sabina Simonson said Charlene Brooks will serve as grand marshal and that the family of the late Brenda Wootton, identified in the program as a former society president, will serve as community marshal. The organizers confirmed participation by local school color guards and bands, youth groups from Polaris Village/BAM, the Boy Scouts, local marching units and emergency vehicles, and named bagpiper Randy Welch among the performers.
Harriet Lowery, a founding member of the Frederick Douglass Honor Society, described the welcome ceremony order, saying Vice President Devin Beck will open and introduce program participants. Lowery urged respect and asked that seating be offered first to elders.
Program elements include presentation of the colors, a pledge recited by children from local youth programs and several guest speakers from the Talbot County area. The program will feature a young minister, Javion Jones, music by Randy Welch and a lecture performance by Darius Johnson of Washington College presenting one of Frederick Douglass’ speeches.
Nicholas Rapala, a professor of humanism and ethics at Claremont McKenna College, is scheduled as the event’s keynote speaker. Organizers said Rapala will speak on "Frederick Douglass, American Revolutionary" and will be available to sign copies of an edited collection of Douglass writings that will be sold at the library.
Inside the Talbot County Free Library, organizers said visitors will find panels and photographic displays about Douglass and his family, local art and artifacts, and rotating exhibits. The hosts noted that artifacts from the National Park Service have appeared at past events and that a selection of letters from U.S. presidents to Douglass may be on display. A quilt exhibition — 76 quilts on loan from the Bayside Quilters — will remain on view through Oct. 3.
Family-friendly activities around the courthouse and library will include face painting, a portrait/photo booth, a sticker wall, a prize wheel, mascots for photo opportunities, and multiple story times led by Shauna Bula from St. Michael’s Library. Local food vendors and church groups will sell barbecue and other concessions. Organizers said merchandise sales (shirts, hats, mugs) will fund college scholarships administered by the Frederick Douglass Honor Society.
The organizers encouraged early arrival for seating at the courthouse welcome. They also said a guided tour of the Douglass historic hill will depart near the library toward the end of the day’s festivities.
The radio hosts directed listeners to frederickdouglasshonorssociety.com and tcfl.org for the full schedule and additional information. The segment closed by reminding listeners that the Frederick Douglass Day events begin Sept. 27 at 10:00 a.m.
