Release from the City of Barrie
The City of Barrie's annual Winterfest event returns February 4 and 5 with activities and programming taking place in Heritage Park, downtown Barrie and other venues in the city. Winterfest is a community tradition and is regularly named one of the top winter festivals in Ontario. The event typically attracts visitors from all over the province.
The outdoor activities are hosted at Heritage Park and Meridian Place on Saturday, February 4 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, February 5 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. A list of scheduled activities follows:
- Ice sculptures;
- Lumberjack shows (Saturday only);
- “Nature in Winter” programming;
- Shows bySpeaking of Wildlife;
- Horse-drawn wagon rides;
- Snow Valley’s mini tube slide;
- Inflatables;
- Buskers and family entertainment, including Team T&J, FireGuy, and NorthFIRE Fire and Ice Circus Show;
- Fire pit warming zone;
- Helicopter rides (fee associated), and
- Vendors.
Activities at other locations include:
- Polar Bear Dip at Centennial Beach (Sunday only);
- Skating, including a Showcase and Learn to Skate program hosted by Barrie Skating Club at the Circle at the Centre Ice Rink;
- Barrie Lions Club Winterfest Pancake Breakfast at Collier Street United Church (Saturday only);
- STEAM family programming at the Downtown Branch of the Barrie Public Library;
- Barrie Farmers’ Market snowflake hunt (Saturday only), and
- February Blues Festival performances at various locations including the Barrie Public Library and City Hall Rotunda.
Outdoor activities are weather-permitting. For full details on the events, activities and programs happening Winterfest weekend, visit barrie.ca/winterfest.
Winterfest Park 'N Ride Shuttle
This free shuttle will operate Saturday from 9:45 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 9:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. The shuttle will pick up and drop off at Barrie Transit stop #203 located on Coulter Street behind the Bayfield Mall. Riders can park at the Bayfield Mall, accessed off Highway 400 and Bayfield Street. The shuttle will bring riders downtown to Platform 13 of the Barrie Transit Terminal, located at 24 Maple Avenue. From the terminal, it’s a short walk to Heritage Park and Meridian Place. Visit MyRideBarrie.ca/News to view the shuttle schedule.
Parking
Downtown and waterfront parking is available within close walking distance to Heritage Park and downtown Barrie, including in the Collier Street Parkade, located between Owen Street and Clapperton Street. Downtown parking rates are not enforced on weekends. Waterfront parking areas and Hybrid Parking Lots (Spirit Catcher, Lakeshore Drive and North Marina) are enforced 24/7/365. When planning your trip, review the Municipal Parking Map via barrie.ca/parking to see the rates and available parking options.
Road closure
Simcoe Street will be closed from Maple Avenue to Dunlop Street from 6 a.m. on February 4 to 6 p.m. on February 5.
Winterfest kicks off Hello Winter; a month-long celebration of winter in Barrie, with events, activities and programs happening around the city throughout February, including a Family Day Winter Adventure at the Barrie Community Sports Complex. For more information visit barrie.ca/HelloWinter.
Banner image via City of Barrie website
