Owen Sound’s mayor is excited about the return of HockeyFest next month.
This second annual event between Nov. 14 and 16 is in partnership between Owen Sound Girls Hockey, local elementary and high schools, the city, and support from the University of Waterloo Warriors.
The festivities will kick off on Nov. 14 with the east versus west high school boys’ and girls’ hockey teams from Owen Sound District Secondary School and St. Mary’s School facing off at the Bayshore.
The following day, the university players will visit Notre Dame Catholic School, Alexandra Community School and East Ridge Community School for a game of floor hockey and a question period.
Owen Sound Girls Hockey is also celebrating its 30th anniversary with a fundraiser that night at the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre, which will feature music from Woodford U. Ticket details can be found by emailing fundraising@owensoundgirlshockey.com.
Additionally, several on-ice clinics will be held that evening at the Bayshore where tips and tricks about the game will be shared, and will be moderated by Fred Wallace.
The event will wrap up on the Saturday with the first puck drop at 2 p.m. as the University of Waterloo Warriors plays against the Laurier Golden Hawks.
After the game, the River District will come alive with the Kiwanis Santa Claus parade as well as the Festival of Northern Lights.
Following the parade, recreational road hockey games will be held in the memory of Josh Olynyk, who passed away from cancer in 2009.
Teams of four, which includes a goalie playing U7, U8, U9, U10, U11, and U12 can sign up for one hour of play. Participants must bring proper footwear, gloves, clothing, and a helmet to play.
Mayor Ian Boddy says this is a great event not only for the city, but for the local sports community.
“This of course has come out of Hockey Day in Canada that we hosted a couple of years ago, and one of the fasted growing areas of the sport of hockey is women’s hockey. So to be able to host university women’s teams and have coaches clinics and things over a couple of days is good for our community and helps us connect with the university and collaborate on things,” says Boddy.
A full schedule and more details can be found on the city website here.