Homecoming Opening Ceremonies Tonight!

July 27, 2007

The following post was provided to us by Mary Price who holds the position of Manager of Tourism & Culture for the city of Owen Sound. Many thanks to Mary for sending us this press release. If you have any events going on in the area that you would like promoted on theOwen.com, just contact us!

Whether you are an Owen Sound and area resident or interested visitor, one of the highlights of Homecoming 2007 that celebrates Owen Sound’s 150th Anniversary will be the SPECTACULAR Opening Ceremonies at Kelso Beach Park on Friday, July 27th , at 8:00 p.m.

Coined “A Walk Through Time”, this carefully-planned celebration of local culture and history will appeal to all members of the family. Chronologically exploring the area’s culture and heritage through music and dance, the evening program opens with native Grandfather drums and moves through time with music representing our Black history, Celtic history and today’s lively folk and roots scene. The evening’s performers will include Lars Jensen, Bobby Dean Blackburn with his band (including Joel Morelli), young local phenomenon Lauren Best, Tim Harrison, Steve Dickinson, and David Sereda.

The Georgian Bay Folk Society took a lead role in planning the stage program for the Homecoming committee, consulting every step of the way with representatives of the area’s cultural community.

This is a rare opportunity to see members of the Georgian Bay Symphony in an outdoor setting. A brass quartet will perform a spirited fanfare entitled “Giizhigoong”, Ojibway for “In the Sky World”, an original work written exclusively for the occasion by Richard Mascall.

Brenda Scott, president of the Georgian Bay Folk Society and Homecoming Opening Ceremonies organizer comments that “it is quite a thrilling piece and will become even more so when shared for the first time at such a unique event”.

Town Crier Drew Ferguson will open the ceremonies with his own “Readers’ Digest” version of the city’s first 150 years.

Organizers have even thought to choreograph a “pre-show” that includes Grey Roots Museum and Owen Sound Little Theatre modeling period costumes from different periods of Owen Sound history as well as some magical giant puppets courtesy of Sheatre.
The Master of Ceremonies for the evening will be Dave Carr.

Those seated in time and looking up will be delighted by a special “in the sky world” visit organized by the Billy Bishop Museum. The pre-show will start at 7:00 p.m.

At the show’s conclusion, Owen Sound’s reputation for presenting a great fireworks show will be kicked up a notch with the addition of synchronized musical accompaniment.

Admission is by voluntary donation at the gates.