Underground Railroad Days will be held July 11-12 in Vandalia. (Leader photo/File)

The Village of Vandalia and the Underground Railroad Society of Cass County will partner for the sixth year to celebrate the heritage of the Underground Railroad in the area.

The Underground Railroad Days will be held Saturday and Sunday, July 11-12. Hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday in with activities centered around Milo Barnes Park on M-60 in Vandalia.

There will be an “opening night” performance at 7 p.m. Friday at Ross Beatty Jr./Sr. High School in Cassopolis featuring Dr. Von and Fran Washington in a dramatic reading of their new play about the UGRR “They Fought to Save Freedom.”

Saturday and Sunday features guided tours of UGRR sites that tell the story of the Kentucky Raid, UGRR related displays and presentations in the village youth center, music and poetry at the “Ramptown cabin” in the park, a Civil War Living History encampment on the village green, and a soul food dinner in the Village Hall.

The historic Bonine House at Penn Road and M-60 will be open for tours both days.  A community church service will be held in the park at 11 a.m. Sunday.

Parking and all activities, except the dinner, are free of charge. Donations are appreciated.

More information on Underground Railroad Days, the role Cass County played in the UGRR and the Bonine House can be found on www.urscc.org.