Mr. Speaker, on November 14, 1997 Owen Sound's Festival of Northern Lights celebrated its tenth anniversary.
From a modest beginning as a display of Christmas lights along the Sydenham River, it has grown to one of the largest tourist attractions in northern Ontario during the holiday season.
The festival now features 170 displays and 11 kilometres of lights trimmed along the Sydenham River from the inner harbour to the heart of the city.
On November 14 over 1,000 people took part in the official opening of the festival. Two of its original architects, Marie and Cecile Walpole, were there to officially turn on the switch. It was a moving ceremony and a tremendous honour to Ann Kelly and all those volunteers who have made this festival the pride and joy of Bruce—Grey during the festive season.