WASAGA BEACH

About an hour north of Toronto, west of the city of Barrie, is the world’s longest fresh-water beach. Every summer this beach and the people of the town of Wasaga Beach which it borders plays host to millions of tourists who come to bask on any of its six pristine, white sand beaches.
The six beaches of Wasaga Beach run contiguously East to West for 14 kilometres. More than 81/2 miles of spectacular white sand beach, nestled in Nottawasaga Bay near the estuary of the Nottawasaga River.
The town of Wasaga Beach is the site of the annual Palaver International Literary Festival, a celebration of Caribbean literature, music and cuisine, to be held over two days, August 6 and 7, 2016. Poetry, story-telling and the ‘Books and Authors’ events will take place in the park at Wasaga Beach Area 4. The Palaver Awards (dinner and show) will be at the RecPlex Auditorium. Palaver Reception Garden is at the Oakview Woods Gazebo.

HISTORY
The area was originally occupied by the Huron people who were reportedly scattered in 1650 by the Algonquin. The word Nottawasaga is said to be Algonquin.
The first municipal reference to the area was recorded in 1947 with the designation of the area as a Local Improvement District. Two years later Wasaga Beach was given the status of a Police Village in the Township of Sunnidale. By 1951, the town was granted ‘Incorporated Village’ status. On January 1, 1974, the Town of Wasaga Beach was incorporated.

POPULATION
The town’s resident population at the time of incorporation was about 4,000 persons. In a mere 40 years it grew by 450% to 18,000. In summer, the population increases dramatically as family members who live and work in Toronto and further afield head north to spend cooler days by the lakes in cottage country.
Wasaga Beach can justifiably claim to be the premiere summer resort destination in Ontario province. It helps that it has the longest fresh water beach on the planet.