News release - City of Barrie
The City of Barrie’s annual Winterfest event returns February 3 and 4 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 and entertainment are hosted at Heritage Park and Meridian Place on Saturday, February 3 from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, February 4 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. In addition to the scheduled entertainment, attendees can enjoy watching ice sculptures carved from 300-pound blocks of ice by professional sculptors on Friday night, Saturday, and Sunday. This year’s ice sculptures celebrate the theme of flight and will be lit to enjoy at night. On Saturday evening, attendees can enjoy live entertainment including a historical walking tour led by Theatre By The Bay and a Fire & Ice circus show. Top off the event experience by visiting one of Downtown Barrie's many restaurants.
A list of scheduled activities follows:
- Fish Underwater exhibit: Learn about the fish in the lake with the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority (Saturday only)
- Horse-drawn wagon rides
- Snow Valley’s mini tube slide
- Nature in Winter programming, including the City's portable nature play kitchen
- Speaking of Wildlife exhibit
- Inflatables and games
- Buskers & family entertainment including Trolls Character Party Storytime, TEAM T & J Kids Jumpin’ Jamboree, Lumberjack shows, NorthFIRE Fire & Ice Circus Show
- Fire pit warming zone
- Historical Barrie Walking Tours led by Theatre By The Bay
- Marshmallow roasting on a wood-burning fireplace
- Snow sculpture by artist Siggi Buhler
- Toronto Kite Fliers showcase of kites of all sizes, shapes, and colours in a special winter aerial display (weather/wind permitting)
- Scouts winter cookout ($)
- Vendor market ($)
- Helicopter rides, weather permitting ($90/person, Saturday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.)
Activities at other locations include:
- 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 (Saturday only)
- February Blues Festival performances at various locations including the Barrie Public Library and City Hall Rotunda
- Downtown Barrie’s Hot Cocoa Trail
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 closures
Simcoe Street will be closed from Maple Avenue to Dunlop Street from 6 a.m. on February 3 to 6 p.m. February 4. A small section of Bayfield Street between Simcoe Street and Chase McEachern Way will also be closed during this time.
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 the City of Barrie
