page_title: Owen Sound
section_title: Culture and events
hierarchical_section_title: Owen Sound / Culture and events
caption_attribution_description: Festival of Northern Lights, Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada
context_page_description: Owen Sound, the county seat of Grey County, is a city in the northern area of Southwestern Ontario, Canada. Owen Sound is located at the mouths of the Pottawatomi and Sydenham Rivers on an inlet of Georgian Bay.
  The primary tourist attractions are the many waterfalls within a short drive of the town.
context_section_description: 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 Union 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.
  Owen Sound Artists' Co-op - established in 1994 and located in the historic McKay building downtown Owen Sound, features the work of 45 local artists, along with monthly guest artists and Legacy Gallery exhibitors.
  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.
  Community Waterfront Heritage Centre – showcasing the city's rich history in rail and water transportation and its role in the growth of Ontario.
  Billy Bishop Home and Museum – located in Bishop's former home, is 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.
  Owen Sound's Beth Ezekiel Synagogue, a designated building under Ontario's Heritage Act as one of the few remaining examples of a small town Ontario synagogue. It is the last active small town synagogue in Canada.
  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.
  Lupercalia is a winter multi-arts festival held in the downtown.
  The Owen Sound City Band founded in 1923 is a volunteer organization made up of amateur musicians of all ages and abilities. The Band performs for Canada Day held every year at Kelso Beach, for the opening of the Festival of Northern Lights and other official events. The Band plays regularly over the summer at Harrison Park and Kelso Beach.
  The Summerfolk Music and Crafts Festival is a three-day music and crafts event founded in 1976 and held annually on the third weekend in August at Kelso Beach Park.
caption: Festival of Northern Lights.
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