Owen Sound, Ontario

Owen Sound is located in south-western Ontario, at the mouth of the Sydenham River on an inlet of Georgian Bay also named Owen Sound. Owen Sound's population is approximately 23,000.

Owen Sound is one of many cities in Ontario that are well known for receiving large amounts of snowfall because of a phenomenon known as lake effect snow.

For much of its history, Owen Sound was a major port city, known as the "Chicago of the North". Its location on Georgian Bay gave it access to the upper Great Lakes, and major rail lines moved cargo south from there. Port duties have declined dramatically since the opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway allowed shipping directly to the lower lakes and dramatically lowered costs compared to transshipment via Owen Sound. Being both the gateway to cottage country, and in the heart of Ontario's beef, apple and corn region, farming and tourism are still integral parts of the local economy.

Owen Sound is home of SummerFolk Festival, a popular folk festival that takes place annually in August. Summerfolk attracts over 4,000 people annually to the shores of Georgian Bay, specifically Kelso Beach Park located on the West shore of Owen Sound.

The Festival of Northern Lights, a large Christmas lights festival with many displays along the Sydenham River, downtown, and in Harrison Park is held from November until January. More from Wikipedia