VANDALIA — Before he died suddenly this spring Bill Ayers, Quaker, avid softball fan, rock and roll fanatic and public works director of the Village of Vandalia, decided Vandalia needed a party.

He drew up a plan on yellow lined paper that called for a classic car show, music, yard sales, craft booths, art vendors and tours of local Underground Railroad sites.

He called it “Underground Railroad Days.”

Bill’s plan became a reality last weekend, and quite a party it was.

Hundreds of people shopped the art, craft and yard sale booths in the grassy area next to Village Hall.

They bought pop and lemonade from local kid’s stands and ate food from local vendors.

Beautiful classic cars arrived by the dozens, set off by deejay Dennis Ash’s classic rock and roll.

Across the street in Milo Barnes park, the Underground Railroad Society of Cass County (URSCC) anchored several tents that told the story of  the URR in Vandalia and the surrounding area.

The Minority Coalition of Cass County provided information on the Sanctuary and Deliverance mural being painted in downtown Cassopolis.

URSCC guided tours of  Underground Railroad sites up and down M-60.

They were packed with people from all over the state, who were amazed at the stories of  Ramptown, the Kentucky Raid and the courage and compassion of the Quakers and African Americans who participated, and made this area unique.

Dr. Michael Nassaney of Western Michigan University lectured on Ramptown.

Carol Bainbridge of Ft. St. Joseph Museum in Niles gave a talk about the Underground Railroad in Cass County.

And the Minority Coalition sponsored a panel of local residents and scholars who spoke about the Kentucky Raid, the mural and its meaning for us today.

And they honored Bill Ayers.

In front of his family and many people who knew and loved him, the Village of Vandalia dedicated a stone memorial placed at the head of his beloved softball fields.

Vandalia Village President Beverly Young said, “I believe Bill would have been happy with the turnout of this entire event.”

It was a grand day.

People smiled, and so did Bill, they’re sure.

To learn more about the Underground Railroad in Cass County, go to www.urscc.org.