Back to SearchMore than 6200 people attended the ten-day festival to celebrate the grand opening of Wasaga Beach’s new twin-pad arena and library, and kick-off the Town’s 50th anniversary celebrations
“To everyone who made Wasaga Beach and the Breaking the Ice Festival a part of their Family Day long weekend plans, thank you,” said Mayor Brian Smith. “This year, the Town of Wasaga Beach is turning 50, and the Breaking the Ice Festival has kicked off what will be a year of celebration of Wasaga Beach’s iconic past and our bright future as a four-season tourism destination. Our goal was to show what is possible, and to showcase what our town is all about: making memories with friends and family that will last a lifetime.”
Wasaga Beach – The Town of Wasaga Beach’s first official event of the year has concluded as a major success. The Breaking the Ice Festival attracted more than 6200 people to the new Wasaga Stars Arena and Wasaga Beach Public Library between February 10 and February 19, 2024, and raised approximately $100,000 through ticket sales and sponsorships featuring many local businesses.
The Town is thanking the thousands of residents and visitors who helped celebrate Wasaga Beach’s 50th anniversary and the grand opening of the Town’s new twin-pad arena and library over the Family Day long weekend and in the days leading up to it, including Valentine's Day.
The festival kicked off with an exciting announcement that Wasaga Beach is now home to a Junior A hockey team – the first in the Town’s history.
The show-stopping lineup included a star-studded NHL alumni game featuring hometown NHL hero, Jason Arnott, a sold-out “Love is in the Air” show featuring iconic Canadian figure skaters Elizabeth Manley and Elvis Stojko, and performances by Canadian rock legends Burton Cummings and Blue Rodeo.
Quick facts
- All of the main events sold out or more than 97 per cent sold out before the festival began.
- On average, almost half of festival attendees visited from out of town.
Background
The Town of Wasaga Beach aims to be a place where people come to create memories that will last a lifetime. The twin-pad arena and library project – together with other large tourism and sport-related projects, such as the Breaking the Ice Festival – supports this vision and Council’s priorities: to create opportunities to diversify the economy, create jobs and build a complete community. It’s part of the Town’s plan to become a leader in sustainability, creativity, innovation and fun – a place with thriving businesses and safe, inclusive and complete neighbourhoods where we celebrate our rich history, diversity of cultures and natural beauty, including the Nottawasaga River, Georgian Bay and the longest freshwater beach in the world.
Media contact:
Sandra Watts
Director of Strategic Communications & Intergovernmental Affairs
(705) 443-9248
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