A display at the Festival of Northern Lights in Owen Sound in December 2020. (supplied image)
Preparations are well underway for the 34th annual Festival of Northern Lights in Owen Sound.
The free event will be kicking off its opening celebration on Nov. 20 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Farmers Market, according to a release.
Local musician Bob Sander will be taking the stage when the event opens up, then at 6:30 p.m. the Dance Groove party will begin, featuring Tyler C. Boyle.
Later at 7 p.m., Blinkey will be making an appearance with local dignitaries in welcoming the start of the festival, where the count down will begin to hit the lights and launch fireworks.
Festival Chair Jamie Walpole notes these festivities will be slightly different this year, but will have hot chocolate available, pictures with Santa and live music at the Market Building.
“Sometimes we have facepainting and crafts for kids and those kinds of things, but with the concerns with Covid we just want to be as safe as possible, so we are eliminating those this year,” says Walpole.
Walpole says they have been working in conjunction with the health unit and will proceed with the event, only if it is safe to do so.
As a precaution, Walpole is asking residents who are attending the event to wear a mask and maintain their physical distancing when able.
The festival will be following the the events hosted by the River District Board of Management at 2 p.m., and the Santa Claus parade at 5 p.m.
After the opening festival, the lights will stay on nightly from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. through to Jan. 2.
During this time, other displays and a walking path will be set up at Harrison Park.
