Harvest Festival Celebrates Freedom with Sowing and Sewing Theme
Ready to dive into a real piece of history and culture? The Harvest Festival at Christ Episcopal Church in Blaine is coming up soon. This year’s theme, Sowing and Sewing to Freedom, honors the stories of Black slaves and their journey to freedom on the Underground Railroad.
Mark your calendar for Saturday, October 11, from noon to 3 p.m. You’ll find the church at 382 Boblett Street, where the team has put together a day that weaves together education, heritage, and a sense of community.
They’ve planned activities to shine a light on the importance of crops and quilting in the context of the Underground Railroad. It’s a unique way to connect with the past, and honestly, it’s not something you see every day.
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The Significance of the Theme
The inspiration for Sowing and Sewing to Freedom came from a visit by church members to Philipsburg Manor, a former plantation in New York. They got their hands on scarlet runner bean seeds from the garden there and brought them back to Blaine.
Now, those beans are the star crop of the festival. The theme doesn’t just celebrate the seeds—it digs into how crops and quilts shaped the lives of Black slaves who sought freedom.
Educational Activities and Displays
One of the highlights? The educational activities focused on the church’s garden. If you swing by, you can learn about scarlet runner beans and other crops growing right there.
This hands-on experience is meant to give everyone a glimpse into the agricultural practices that mattered so much during the Underground Railroad era.
- Garden Tours: Get to know the different crops and why they mattered back then.
- Seed Distribution: Take home scarlet runner beans—maybe start your own little patch.
Quilt Display Featuring Underground Railroad Codes
The festival also brings an Early Americana quilt display that recreates the secret codes used on the Underground Railroad. Billie Watts, a quilter from Lynden, spent the past year making these quilts, each one packed with hidden messages that once helped guide people to freedom.
It’s more than just looking at quilts—you can actually follow handmade footsteps through the exhibit. There’s something special about seeing history stitched together like this.
- Interactive Exhibit: Walk along the footsteps and see if you can spot the hidden messages in the quilts.
- Historical Insight: Find out what each quilt pattern meant and how it played a part in the Underground Railroad.
Music, Food, and Community Spirit
What’s a festival without music and food? The Harvest Festival brings both in spades. Live music will fill the air, and there’s something about hearing those songs that just pulls people together.
Food stalls will be set up, serving a mix of classic and modern dishes. There’s bound to be something for everyone, whether you’re craving comfort food or want to try something new.
- Live Music: Catch performances that celebrate the community’s cultural roots.
- Food Stalls: Sample dishes for all sorts of tastes—come hungry!
Why You Should Attend
The Harvest Festival at Christ Episcopal Church isn’t just another event. It’s a journey—one that weaves together history, culture, and the heart of the community.
When you show up, you get a real sense of how crops and quilts have shaped our story. Plus, your presence helps keep these traditions alive for the next generation, which feels pretty important if you ask me.
Maybe you’re into history. Maybe you love gardening. Or maybe you just want a fun, family-friendly day out. The Harvest Festival has a little bit of everything, honestly.
If you’re curious, check out more details on the official event page at The Northern Light. It’s worth a look.
So, mark your calendar—October 11 at Christ Episcopal Church. Come for the experience, stay for the sense of connection, and see how sowing and sewing to freedom can bring us all a bit closer to our roots.
