A Flurry of Festive Activities Begins in the River District on Saturday, November 18

Owen Sound’s River District welcomes the holiday season with a flurry of festive activities on Saturday, November 18, including Holiday Magic, the 78^th annual Kiwanis Santa Claus Parade, the kick-off to the Festival of Northern Lights, and road hockey as part of HockeyFest 2023.  In support of these events, 2^nd Avenue East will be closed to vehicular traffic and parking starting at 2 p.m. on November 18. 

The River District’s Holiday Magic event will run from 3 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 Festival of Northern Lights light-up ceremony at 7 p.m.  

All roads are expected to reopen by 9 p.m. 

Road Closures and Parking:

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

• 1^st Avenue East from 8^th Street East to 9^th Street East 
• 2^nd Avenue East from 8^th Street East to 11^th Street East 
• 8^th Street East from 1^st Avenue East to 3^rd Avenue East 
• 2^nd Avenue East from 7^th Street East to 8^th Street East will be open to local traffic only, there will be no through traffic 

All vehicles are to be removed by 2:30 p.m. to avoid being towed from the closed roads above, as well as Parking Lot #1, located behind City Hall and #6 located behind the Farmer’s Market.  

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

Drivers are asked to use Parking Lot #5, located in the 800 block of 3^rd Avenue East and Parking Lot #4, located in the 900 Block of 3^rd Avenue East. Parking is also available in Parking Lots 8 & 9 in the 700 block of 1^st Avenue East and Parking Lot #2 in the 900 Block of 1^st Avenue West.  

Transit:

The Brooke and Core Transit Routes will detour around the closures on 8^th Street East at 4^th Avenue East crossing the Sydenham River at 9^th Street rather than 8^th Street beginning at 2 p.m. 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 along 2^nd Avenue East between 8^th and 11^th Streets East on Saturday, November 18. 
• All visitors are asked to tag @RiverDistrictOS on social media and use #HolidayMagicOS2023 
• For a full list of road closures in Owen Sound, please visit Municipal511 
• The full parking map in the River District is on the City website 

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Attachments

2023-11-10 - Media Advisory - A Flurry of Festive Activities Begins in the River District on Saturday, November 18