Watrous saw a record number of people support their annual Tourism Week barbecue on Wednesday.

It was the highest turnout to date according to Watrous Manitou Beach Tourism.

The barbecue saw the Watrous Area Arts Council as the beneficiary.

Brendan Manz says that having the arts in the spotlight in the area has brought many highlights.

"We're very fortunate to have the Watrous Area Arts Council. It's been running for 40 years or so now and they bring a lot of great live entertainment," he said. "This past April we had Lisa Brokop at Danceland and that was an Arts Council event. Coming up this fall and winter there will be a list of performers again coming to Watrous."

Manz added that another annual event is approaching, where people can see plenty of art on display.

"The Spirit of Manitou Studio Trail which is the second week of July. A lot of public galleries open up where people can see a lot of great work."

There are locations set up in Watrous, Manitou Beach and Meacham on the trail, where people can travel and view the work of local artists and artisans.