AUBURN - The journey has not ended yet. The spirit of Harriet Tubman will be leading the hearts of followers during a spiritual celebration beginning at her resting site Saturday, in Fort Hill Cemetery in Auburn, then continuing at the Thompson Memorial AME Zion Church and concluding at the Harriet Tubman Home museum.

“It's the 32nd consecutive year for the ceremony, but it began back in the '50s,” said the Rev. Paul G. Carter, site manager of the Tubman Home. “It will be a small memorial service (at the cemetery) with prayer and song, with words of encouragement and praise.”

Following the graveside observance, guest speaker the Rev. Lula Williams, who along with her husband, created the Tubman library, including constructing the book shelves, will participate in the service at AME Zion Church, presided over by Bishop George E. Battle Jr.

Music and refreshments will be part of the gathering, which is regularly attended by local relatives of the legendary Underground Railroad crusader.

Then, at the home, a Harriet Tubman Queen and King Pageant will be held, during which youth parishioners of Western New York Zion churches will be recognized by category for the work they have done to raise donations and awareness to keep the memory of the civil rights leader alive.

“I believe 50 percent of the residents of the city are aware of her work, her efforts. Probably less than that know she owned property here. Seventy-five percent don't visit the Harriet Tubman Home,” Carter said. “It's more than just a head issue. It's a heart issue.”