Owen Sound - Culture and Events

Culture and Events

The City of Owen Sound was a 2004 Cultural Capital of Canada and is home to a number of cultural events and facilities. It is home to the Summerfolk Music and Crafts Festival, held every August, and the Festival of Northern Lights, a large Christmas lights festival with many displays along the Sydenham River, downtown, and in Harrison Park, held from November until January every Winter, as well as A Novel Marathon, a special event fund raiser for the Adult Literacy Program of the Owen Sound and North Grey Public Library.

In 2007 Owen Sound celebrated its 150th year since incorporation, with special events throughout the year highlighted by the 10-day Homecoming 2007 celebrations July 27 to August 5.

Theatrically, the city's 400-seat Roxy Theatre, owned and operated by the Owen Sound Little Theatre, is used for the city's professional live theatre performances, as well as some concerts. The Youth Theatre Coalition is also prevalent in the area. It is a youth theatre company run entirely by youth and for youth. The organization presents musical, theatrical, and concert type performances throughout the year.

The city is also home to a good number of museums and cultural attractions, including:

• Grey Roots Museum and Archives – showcasing the history of the city of Owen Sound and Grey County
• The Roxy Theatre - the region's premier destination for live entertainment.
• Tom Thomson Memorial Art Gallery – featuring a large collection of memorabilia and works from Tom Thomson, one of Canada's most famous artists who grew up in the Owen Sound area.
• Owen Sound Marine and Rail Museum – showcasing the city's rich history in rail and water transportation and its role in the growth of Ontario.
• Billy Bishop Heritage Museum – located in the former Billy Bishop home, dedicated to the life and times of Billy Bishop and Canada's history in aviation.
• Black History Cairn – located in historic Harrison Park, celebrating Owen Sound's status as a northern terminus of the Underground Railroad.
• Owen Sound Farmer's Market – occupying the same location since 1868, the Market is open every Saturday morning throughout the year and hosts a wide variety of growers and artisans.
• Today Owen Sound's Beth Ezekiel Synagogue, a designated building under Ontario's Heritage Act, remains the last example of the early small town synagogue
• Georgian Bay Symphony – is a regional community orchestra consisting of 55 volunteer musicians and five professional core string players. The Symphony performs 5 Main Concerts a year at the OSCVI as well as performing at various civic events.
• Each year, the City of Owen Sound hosts the Owen Sound Cultural Awards (the "OSCAs"). A community jury selects winners in up to 10 award categories, presented at a gala entertainment event in mid-autumn.
• Over the past twelve years, 37 different writers have created 86 short novels, made friends and raised thousands of dollars for the Adult Learning Centre.
• The Owen Sound City Band circa 1923 is a volunteer organization whose membership is made up of amateur musicians of all ages and abilities, from high school students to senior citizens. The band plays a wide range of music from Dixieland, Golden Oldies and Classical to Movie Themes and Easy Listening and medium Rock. Venues include Canada Day Events (Kelso Beach), Christmas Parades; in the city, neighbouring towns and villages throughout Grey and Bruce Counties, Opening ceremonies such as Festival of Northern Lights and various nursing homes.