The City of Owen Sound will celebrate a flurry of festive activities to welcome the holiday season Saturday November 18.
It all starts with The River District’s Holiday Magic event which starts at 3 p.m. and goes until 9 p.m. People can enjoy some outdoor seating, fire tables, photos with Santa, contests, giveaways, specials and sales to kick off their holiday shopping.
Then the 78th annual Kiwanis Santa Claus parade begins at 5 p.m., followed by the Festival of Northern Lights light-up ceremony at 7 p.m. There will also be road hockey as part of HockeyFest 2023.
2nd Avenue East will be closed to vehicular traffic and parking starting at 2 p.m. on November 18, along with 1st Avenue East from 8th Street East to 9th Street East, 2nd Avenue East from 8th Street East to 11th Street East, and 8th Street East from 1st Avenue East to 3rd Avenue East. All roads are expected to reopen by 9 p.m. 9th Street and 10th Street will remain open except during the period when the Santa Claus parade moves through the intersections. 2nd Avenue East from 7th Street East to 8th Street East will be open to local traffic only, there will be no through traffic. All vehicles should be removed by 2:30 p.m. to avoid being towed from the closed roads, along with Parking Lot 1 behind City Hall and lot 6 located behind the Farmer’s Market.
Motorists can use Parking Lot 5 in the 800 block of 3rd Avenue East and Parking Lot 4, located in the 900 Block of 3rd Avenue East. Parking is also available in Parking Lots 8 and 9 in the 700 block of 1st Avenue East and Parking Lot 2 in the 900 Block of 1st Avenue West.
The Brooke and Core Transit Routes will detour around the closures on 8th Street East at 4th Avenue East crossing the Sydenham River at 9th Street rather than 8th Street beginning at 2 p.m. until the end of the day.