The Festival of Northern Lights advisory committee has big plans for the annual Owen Sound event.
The committee has presented Council with an economic impact study.
It shows about 40 thousand people made a total of 60 thousand visits for the Festival this past winter.
Chair Doug McKee says they found 48 per cent of the visitors were described as “non local” — and they spent about 540 thousand dollars while here — mostly on food and restaurants.
More than 80 per cent of people who attended the festival indicated they prefer to do business with festival sponsors.
And 100 per cent of festival attendees said they believe the event enhances our quality of life in this region.
McKee says plans are already underway for next year’s event.
The planned theme is “A Salute to Our Troops,” and McKee has already entered into discussions with the Land Force Central Area Training Centre in Meaford.
There is also a possibility that the festival committee and the Kiwanis club could come together on an evening Santa Claus Parade in Owen Sound.
Traditionally, the parade takes place the morning after the lights go on each November.
McKee says the Downtown Improvement Area will have to come on board for that to happen, but he sees a great deal of potential in the idea.
And he notes if the day after the parade is set aside for Festival in the Park, the weekend’s activities could draw visitors from all over the province.