As far as unsanctioned truck rallies are concerned, this wasn't one of the largest seen in Barrie.
But there was a gathering of the like-minded at the back of the Georgian Mall on Friday evening.
The event was monitored on the ground and from the air by Barrie police, with assistance from the Ontario Provincial Police Highway Safety Division.
"We utilized our remote piloted aircraft system, which monitored the crowd from above and provided detailed video of the area in which they gathered," Barrie police communications coordinator Peter Leon told Barrie 360.
Police estimated the crowd to be around 350 people. There were 25 charges laid for equipment-related offences, according to Leon, and no damage to the parking lot surface, though some garbage was left behind.
"I am certain the people who live in the immediate area were not happy with the loud noise and fireworks that lit up the nighttime sky, the unsanctioned and unwelcome event brought," Leon added.
He said the original event was advertised to take place at the Bayfield Mall, but due to temporary fencing that was installed, access to the mall was denied which forced event goers to relocate at the Georgian Mall.
According to reports, the crowd cleared around 10 p.m. as the weather took a turn with wind and some snow.
Images courtesy MICHAEL CHORNEY
