Vandalia will hold its third annual “Underground Railroad Days” June 23 (10 a.m. to 7 p.m.) and June 24 (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.) in the village to celebrate the history of the area and its role as an important stop on the Underground Railroad.
A classic car show, arts and crafts booths, community yard sale, bake sale and local food vendors create a festive, fun for the whole family atmosphere.
The Underground Railroad Society of Cass County (URSCC) anchors the history side of the celebration in Milo Barnes Park in Vandalia.
There will be information booths about various aspects of the Underground Railroad and related topics.
Tour buses will operate throughout both days, showcasing several UGRR sites up and down M-60 into Cassopolis.
The Bonine House, home of Quaker abolitionist James E. Bonine at M-60 and Penn Road, will be open for visitors throughout the celebration.
Vandalia Village Hall will host several lectures and presentations on both Saturday and Sunday.
Activities during the week leading up to Underground Railroad Days include a UGRR film festival at Cass District Library at 6 p.m. June 18 and at 6 p.m. June 20; a special event at the UGRR “Safe House” at The Museum at Southwestern Michigan College in Dowagiac on June 19; a “Kid’s Day at the Bonine House’ on June 20; and a Bonine House benefit performance by playwright Dr. Von Washington Jr. and Fran Washington on June 22.
A detailed schedule of events will be published in the near future.
The schedule will also be found on the Underground Railroad Society’s website, www.urscc.org.
For more information about the car show, or to rent sale or food booth space, contact Vandalia Village President Beverly Young at (269) 476-2344.
For information or to participate in URSCC activities, email info@urscc.org or call (269) 445-7358.