New Year’s Eve – Barrie with the Sam Roberts Band and Fred Penner

The countdown is on. The free New Year’s eve party in downtown Barrie will feature some incredible talent. Juno Award winners, the Sam Roberts Band highlight the free concert outside of City Hall.

Barrie Mayor Jeff Lehman made the announcement Friday (Nov 23).

.@Mayor_Jeff dropped in on @DaleandCharlie @1075koolfm this morning to announce the lineup for this year’s Downtown Countdown at City Hall on New Year’s Eve#Barrie @cityofbarrie #DowntownCountdown #NewYearsEve pic.twitter.com/aLkcgHTBtx

— Barrie 360 (@Barrie360) November 23, 2018

Punk Rocker Skye Wallace, a classically-trained singer,  and four-time Juno Award winner, Fred Penner will also perform. Cousin Jack, an alternative rock trio from Barrie currently working on their debut EP, has been selected to perform on the downtown countdown stage.

Four-time Juno Award winner, Fred Penner, with a career spanning over 40 years will play at Barrie’s New Year’s Celebration

Lots of free activities

The festivities get underway at 6 p.m. on Dec. 31’st outside City Hall in downtown Barrie. There will also be skating at the City Hall rink, horse-drawn wagon rides, roaming street performers, food vendors, fun family activities and two fireworks displays.

The line-up for a free New Year’s celebration in Barrie

Schedule of events for December 31, 2018:

2 to 6 p.m. at Five Points Theatre (1 Dunlop St. W.)
Warm up at the Five Points Theatre with fun and festive activities, including a New Year’s resolution wall. Capture memories at the magic mirror photo booth and print your photos as a magical keepsake.

6 p.m. to Midnight at Barrie City Hall (70 Collier St.)
Activities at City Hall include skating, horse-drawn wagon rides, street performers, food vendors and a bonfire warming zone. There will also be family fun featuring Clarabella the Clown, face painting, a hockey shootout, Speaking of Wildlife and Snow Valley’s mini tube slide.

7 p.m. – Fred Penner
7:50 p.m. – Family Countdown and Fireworks
8:15 p.m. – Cousin Jack
9:15 p.m. – Skye Wallace
10:30 p.m. – Sam Roberts Band
11:55 p.m. – New Year’s Eve Greetings
Midnight – Countdown to 2019 and Fireworks

Getting Around and Parking
Barrie Transit service is free on New Year’s Eve from 5 p.m. to 3 a.m. If you drive, there is free downtown parking within close walking distance, including the Collier Street Parkade.

Road closures for the event include:

• Collier St. from Owen St. to Mulcaster St. from 6 a.m. on December 30 to noon on January 1
• Collier St. from Mulcaster St. to Berczy St. from 3 p.m. on December 31 to 2 a.m. on January 1
• Mulcaster St. from Dunlop St. to Worsley St. from 3 p.m. on December 31 to 2 a.m. on January 1