BIDWELL - Bean soup and classic cars were among the features of the annual fund-raiser staged by the committee that organizes one of Gallia County's signature events, the Emancipation Proclamation celebration.

Fanciers of antique and customized vehicles gathered at the Bidwell Foodland parking lot on Saturday as Emancipation volunteers sold bean soup and other concessions to raise money for this year's observation, set for Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 20-21 at the Gallia County Fairgrounds.

The fund-raising is also for another purpose, Emancipation President Andrew Gilmore said. It and other money-making activities held throughout the year provide for the five scholarships the committee plans to award.

“That's a biggie for us,” Gilmore said. “We're just trying to give some young people a start.”

Gilmore serves with the organization's vice president, Glenn Miller. The secretary is Corliss Miller and Joyce Davis is the treasurer.

Emancipation is the longest-running celebration of President Lincoln's signing of the document that freed all slaves in the country. Starting in 1863, the year after the Emancipation was signed, there has been an annual observation in Gallia County, noted as one of the stops on the Underground Railroad that slaves took while escaping to freedom in the northern states and Canada.

Held at Kerr, Bidwell and Gallipolis over the years, Emancipation has taken on the air of a homecoming for many of its visitors, who reconnect with relative and friends.

Historical reenactors are again a part of this year's observance and will include Lincoln and wife Mary, Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman and members of the United States Colored Troops group. Douglass is to address area students in a Sept. 19 presentation at the Ariel-Dater Performing Arts Centre.

The keynote speaker for Saturday's activities is Blaine Gilmore, son of Andrew Gilmore and general service manager for Hamilton County. Music will be provided by the Burlington Male Chorus, Princess Curtis of South Point and local artist Mark Miller.

Sunday's sermon will be given by the Rev. Michael Poke of St. Albans, W.Va., with music by the Columbus-based group Brothers in Spirit. Keynote speaker for the day is State Sen. Eric Kearney of Cincinnati.

“We are expecting a big crowd and we hope the weather holds,” Andrew Gilmore said.