Government will host an Emancipation service in St. George's Town Square next month.

The service -- scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. on August 1 -- will focus on August 1, 1834, the day King William IV abolished slavery in Bermuda and throughout the British colonies.

The day is marked by the Island's Cup Match holiday.

The Emancipation service will include readings of the original sermon by head librarian Ms Grace Rawlins, Tourism director Mr. Gary Phillips, and Canon John Diehl.

It will also include an instrumental solo by Mr. Jack Kripl and performances by the local gospel group Chorale Dynamics, the Bermuda Regiment Band, and the National Dance Theatre of Bermuda whose dances were choreographed by Ms Conchita Ming.

Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan will read a Government proclamation and local clergymen -- Bishop of Bermuda The Rt. Rev. William Down, Capt. Suzanne Fisher, the Rev. Gary Bremar, and the Rev. Wilbur M. Lowe Snr. -- will lead the audience in prayers.

Those attending the service were also urged to use the opportunity to visit the grave yard of St. Peter's Church where a plaque will be erected and unveiled by members of the St. George's Cricket Club on July 30 in honour of slaves buried there.

Some 130 graves of slaves and free blacks can be found at the western end of St. Peter's grave yard, beyond an old stone wall.