Christmas is in the air in Owen Sound.
The 24th annual Festival of Northern Lights began Friday night and downtown Owen Sound will be packed again Saturday morning for the 66th annual Kiwanis Santa Claus Parade.
Past President John Prettie says they have about 80 units entered in the parade this year, and he believes about half of them will be floats.
He says this year they’re honouring the woman who came up with the idea for a Santa Parade — Adamae Brown.
Prettie says they’ve asked those who have entered floats to incorporate the theme “Christmas Roots” to honour the heritage of their business, just as the Kiwanians honour the heritage of the parade.
Prettie says the parade will start at 10 AM sharp, but they have other activities afterward.
Santa Claus will be outside City Hall after the parade to take Christmas wish lists from the kids.
Bayshore Broadcasting has a special section this year called Blinky’s Bleachers.
Also new this year is a variety of street entertainment before the parade.
Prettie says they will have performers as well as the Owen Sound Youth Theatre Coalition will be singing Christmas Carols to get everybody warmed up for the parade.
The Owen Sound Firefighters will also be collecting apple juice cans for the Salvation Army Food Bank during the parade.
Their goal this year is to collect 12-hundred cans for the Christmas hampers.
