Owen Sound residents will get an extra day of celebration this Canada Day, along with the city’s first-ever drone show lighting up the night sky over Kelso Beach at Nawash Park. The annual waterfront party expands to two days in 2026, running June 30 and July 1, with free family entertainment, live music, and a mix of high-tech and traditional fireworks.
The drone show is set for 10 p.m. on June 30 over the ball diamond at Kelso Beach, marking a new kind of spectacle for the community. The following night, July 1, will wrap up with a classic fireworks display over Owen Sound Harbour at 10 p.m.
According to the City of Owen Sound, the two-day lineup features live music both evenings: The Mike McCarthy Band on June 30, and The Rob Elder Trio and The Eh Team on July 1, with Chris Scerri Presents hosting the Canada Day entertainment. During the day, families can enjoy more than 60 marketplace vendors, over 15 food trucks, a Family Fun Zone, flying dog shows, and pony rides.
To pull off the expanded event, the city is putting out a final call for volunteers and sponsors. Organizers need more than 100 volunteers to help manage the crowds expected to number in the thousands. Remaining vendor and sponsor applications are due by May 30. The celebration is funded by the City of Owen Sound, the Government of Canada, and Experience Ontario with the Government of Ontario.
Anyone interested in volunteering or sponsoring can reach Events and Activation Coordinator Jennifer Wright at 519-376-4440 ext. 1237 or [email protected].
