Wasaga Beach Mayor Brian Smith says all are welcome in Wasaga Beach this weekend, if they obey the law.
"Come to enjoy the last long weekend of summer and our Memories of Summer music festival, but leave your modified vehicles at home," said the mayor in a statement posted to the town's website. "Modified vehicles will not be permitted to enter our municipality this weekend.”
The town has issued a statement saying an "illegal car rally" is expected to take place in Wasaga Beach at some point on Friday or during the weekend.
Huronia West Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have already issued a reminder to visitors and residents not to engage in unsafe or illegal activity at Wasaga Beach.
Several "traffic diversion measures" will also be in effect beginning Wednesday, Aug. 30 for the duration of the weekend. Specific locations are noted on the town's website.
According to the town, those measures will include road closures and vehicle check-points.
"For seasonal and full-time residents who have modified vehicles, we encourage you to leave them at home to minimize any disruption to your weekend plans," reads the town statement. "For public safety reasons, the Town of Wasaga Beach is advising residents and visitors to avoid areas within the community where you may see a higher than usual police presence."
The OPP is working together with the Town of Wasaga Beach, municipal bylaw, Wasaga Beach Fire Department, Ontario Parks, and the County of Simcoe Paramedic Services to ensure the safety and well-being of residents and visitors, according to an OPP news release.
All responsible, respectful and lawful visitors/motorists are welcomed to the town along the shores of Georgian Bay, police say.
Speeding, racing, stunt driving, following too closely, unsafe lane changes, and road rage are among the aggressive driving behaviours that place drivers, passengers, and other road users at risk. The OPP says it will respond to unlawful events in an "appropriate and professional manner."
All visitors are reminded to respect the community and not to jeopardize the safety of citizens or neighbourhoods with risky, illegal or dangerous actions.
The following traffic diversion measures will be in effect beginning Wednesday Aug. 30 for the duration of the weekend, says the town:
- Road closures will be implemented at:
- Shore Lane and Cedar Grove Parkway
- Bay Sands Drive and Lyons Court
- Ramblewood Drive and Lyons Court
- Middleton Drive and Morgan Road
- Ryther Road and Marvin Gardens Boulevard
- Vehicle checkpoints will begin Thursday at noon at the following locations:
- River Road East and John Street
- River Road West and Village Gate Drive
- Klondike Park Road and Veterans Way
- Sunnidale Road and Maple Drive
- 45th Street South and Wasaga Sands Drive
- Mosley Street and 70th Street North
- The Town is also reminding the public that Beach Drive will be open to pedestrian traffic only beginning Thursday at noon for the annual Memories of Summer music festival and fireworks.
Huronia West OPP and the Town’s municipal law enforcement officers will be on the ground, actively monitoring the situation in the community. The Town will continue to keep the public informed through its corporate Twitter and Facebook channels.
