The Festival of Northern Lights is back in Owen Sound for its 39th year this month.
The lights will be turned on at 7 p.m. on Nov. 21, right after the Owen Sound Kiwanis Santa Claus Parade.
“We have a couple of new displays,” says Festival Chair Jamie Walpole. “We have an ice palace based on some arches we’ve got – it is almost like a room you can go in – and we have repurposed a few other displays into some new fashion displays.”
A few displays Walpole holds near and dear include Thomas the Tank Engine, which he and his father built together, the Singing Snowmen and the Vortex display.
The festival is volunteer-led, with members working year-round to make sure each display is ready for the event.
“We work with a great team; our team of volunteers works very hard to keep the displays ready to go,” says Walpole. “We work all year long. We don’t wait until just before the festival starts; we’re working and repairing things all year long.”
As the festival enters its 39th year, Walpole says community support through donations and sponsorships allows the event to continue.
“We have many donations, and our sponsors are just absolutely fabulous – many of them have been with us for 20 years,” says Walpole. “The love of the festival, the comments we hear; every time we see a post on Facebook that says the festival is important, it is tradition.”