Frederick Douglass Day ~ Saturday, September 26, 2026

On Saturday, September 26th, the Talbot County community will once again gather to celebrate the life and legacy of abolitionist, writer, and orator Frederick Douglass, one of the most important figures in Maryland’s history and in the story of our nation. Born into slavery in Talbot County in 1818, Douglass went on to become a nationally renowned speaker and writer whose powerful anti-slavery advocacy helped propel the abolitionist movement forward. This year’s celebration carries an added significance, as it marks the 15th anniversary of the Frederick Douglass statue in front of the Talbot County Courthouse — a project that brought the community together to honor and preserve a shared history.
The festivities will get underway at 10am with a parade, beginning at Easton Elementary School and winding its way to the Talbot County Courthouse on Washington Street. Leading the parade will be Grand Marshal Marshall Bailey IV, a 6th-generation descendant of Frederick Douglass, joined by Honorary Marshals Walter Black and Celeste Bernier and Community Marshals Dina and Derick Daly. Frederick Douglass Honor Society President Boots Robinson will also represent the organization in the parade. The Easton High School NJROTC will provide the color guard, while the parade will be accompanied by music from the Easton Middle School and Easton High School bands, the White Marsh Elementary School band, and local bagpiper Randy Welch. Other participants will include members of BAAM (Building African American Minds), Waterfowl Festival mascots, the Easton Elementary School Hispanic dance group, and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.
Following the parade, the Welcome Ceremony will begin at 10:30am on the front lawn of the courthouse, with Taylor Beck serving as Mistress of Ceremonies. Boots Robinson will offer opening remarks, followed by an invocation from Union Baptist Church Minister Javion Jones. Randy Welch will perform on the bagpipes during the NJROTC’s presentation of colors, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by BAAM. The ceremony will also feature musical performances by Dana Bowser and the Mid-Shore Community Band, directed by Matt Fullerton. Speakers will include Talbot County Parks & Recreation Assistant Director LaDarian Blake, TCPS Superintendent Dr. Sharon Pepukayi, Talbot County Free Library Director Dana Newman, and representatives from the Talbot County Council and the Town of Easton.
Families will have plenty to enjoy as well, with the Children’s Village taking over the Free Library’s front lawn from 11:30am to 2:30pm. Activities will include face painting, Frederick Douglass-themed coloring books, book readings, and more. Winners of the Frederick Douglass Reading Challenge will also be presented with gift certificates. Inside the library, visitors can view multimedia displays featuring photographs of Douglass and his family, along with biographical information about his remarkable life. The National Park Service will also loan several artifacts connected to Douglass for visitors to see firsthand.
Another annual highlight of the celebration is the Frederick Douglass Day Lecture, which this year will feature Damon Root, author and senior editor at Reason magazine. Root has written for publications including Newsweek, the New York Post, and the Los Angeles Daily News, and is the author of three books, including Emancipation War: The Fall of Slavery and the Coming of the Thirteenth Amendment. His book A Glorious Liberty: Frederick Douglass and the Fight for an Antislavery Constitution has been praised for its extensive research and accessible writing. Root’s lecture, taking place at 1pm at the Free Library, will focus on A Glorious Liberty. A book signing will follow the presentation.
At 1pm, the entertainment stage will come alive at Dover and West streets with performances from local talent. The afternoon will begin with the Talbot County Workshop Choir, directed by Leroy Potter and Chris Barnett, followed by a performance from the Easton Elementary School Hispanic dancers. Ella Taylor will then share her original poem, which won 1st place in the 2026 Juneteenth Poetry Contest, followed by a reading of the 2nd-place poem by her sister. The Easton Middle School Choir will take the stage at 2pm, with the afternoon’s entertainment concluding with Ayla Dennis, a talented young local singer whose impressive voice earned her an audition for American Idol. Adjacent to the entertainment stage, the Frederick Douglass Day Marketplace will open at 11am, offering plenty of opportunities to browse local goods, grab some food and drinks, and connect with area organizations. Local nonprofit and charitable organizations will also have booths set up throughout the marketplace.
At 3pm, the BAAM Center in Easton will host Harriette Lowery for a talk about her family history, including her ancestors who were enslaved alongside Frederick Douglass at the Wye Plantation. Also at 3pm, Yvonne Freeman will lead a walking tour of “The Hill,” the historic Easton community recognized as America’s first African American neighborhood. The tour will depart from the Avalon Theater and offer participants a chance to learn more about the history of this important part of Easton.
A treasured part of Talbot County’s rich historical and cultural tradition since 2011, Frederick Douglass Day has become an annual celebration that brings together residents and visitors of all ages. With live music, local food, inspiring speakers, family-friendly activities, and plenty of opportunities to explore our shared history, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Mark your calendars and join your friends, neighbors, and fellow community members on Saturday, September 26th, as Talbot County comes together to celebrate the enduring legacy of Frederick Douglass and the history that continues to shape our community.