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Upson
Emancipation

CELEBRATING HISTORY. CELEBRATING TRADITIONS. CELEBRATING FREEDOM.

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OUR HISTORY

On May 29, 1865, the slaves of Upson County received the news that they were free! On May 29, 1866, William Guildford organized the first celebration! For over, 157 years our community has celebrated our Emancipation Day known as May 29th!

Join us to celebrate our history and traditions as we honor our freedom. Through a parade, program and festive party, we celebrate this day and we don't stop there! This year, we added a new tradition known as the Heritage Awards Banquet. Our Emancipation Weekend is full of ways we honor our culture!

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We also host other events such as Thomaston's Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration and we have our youth program known as Youth Alive.

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JOIN US AS WE CELEBRATE OUR FREEDOM

159th Annual EmancipationDay of Upson

May 25, 2024

GET INVOLVED

Are you interested in helping us continue to spread the knowledge of our historic day? You can help us through volunteering, being a vendor or participating in our parade!

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FEEL THE FREEDOM