A Flurry of Festive Activities Begin in the River District on Saturday, November 16

Owen Sound’s River District welcomes the holiday season with a flurry of festive activities beginning Saturday, November 16. These include Holiday Magic, the 79th annual Kiwanis Santa Claus Parade, the kick-off to the Festival of Northern Lights, and road hockey as part of HockeyFest 2024.  In support of these events, 2nd Avenue East will be closed to vehicular traffic and parking starting at 2 p.m. on November 16.

The River District’s Holiday Magic event will run from 4 p.m. until 9 p.m. and includes outdoor seating, fire tables, photos with Santa, contests, giveaways, specials, and sales at many River District Businesses, which will be open late to kick off holiday shopping. 

The Kiwanis Santa Claus parade begins at 5 p.m., followed by the "Sick Shot" Organized Ball Hockey Tournament on 2nd Avenue East in memory of Josh Olynyk.  The Festival of Northern Lights will flip the switch and light-up the City’s River District beginning with a short ceremony at 7 p.m. 

All roads are expected to reopen by 9 p.m. Drivers are asked to follow and observe the posted detour routes. People enjoying the events are asked to obey the road closures and exercise patience and caution departing the area following the parade.

Road Closures and Parking

The following roads will be closed to traffic and parking beginning at 2 p.m. on Saturday:

·         1st Avenue East from 8th Street East to 9th Street East

·         2nd Avenue East from 8th Street East to 11th Street East

·         8th Street East from 1st Avenue East to 3rd Avenue East

·         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 must be removed by 1:30 p.m. to avoid being towed from the closed roads above, as well as Parking Lot #1, located behind City Hall and Lot #6, located behind the Farmer’s Market. 

9th Street and 10th Street will remain open except during the period when the Santa Claus parade moves through these intersections.

The following parking lots are accessible for the event:

·         Parking Lot #5, located in the 800 block of 3rd Avenue East

·         Parking Lot #4, located in the 900 Block of 3rd Avenue East.  

·         Parking Lots 8 & 9 in the 700 block of 1st Avenue East

·         Parking Lot #2 in the 900 Block of 1st Avenue West. 

Transit

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. and continuing until the end of the day.

For more information regarding road closures, please contact Lara Widdifield, Director of Public Works and Engineering, at 519-376-1440 ext. 1201 or email lwiddifield@owensound.ca.

For more information regarding the Holiday Magic event in the River District, please contact Viveca Gravel, Community Development Coordinator, at 519-376-4440 ext. 1209 or email vgravel@owensound.ca

Quick Facts:

• The River District is hosting Holiday Magic on Saturday, November 16, along 2nd Avenue East between 8th and 11th Streets East.
• All visitors are asked to tag @RiverDistrictOS on social media and use #HolidayMagicOS2024
• For a full list of road closures in Owen Sound, please visit Municipal511
• The full River District parking map is available on the River District website.

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