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Upcoming City of Barrie Events

Heritage Park & Venues Throughout Downtown Barrie February 6 & 7, 2010
Click here for more Winter Fun information from Tourism Barrie, including the WInterfest Stay and Play Package!   Barrie's Winterfest and Festival of Ice is generously sponsored by: On Hart Drive	The City of Barrie presents Winterfest & Festival of Ice on February 6 & 7, 2010!  Named one of the Top 100 Festivals in Ontario, Winterfest is a great way to celebrate the winter season with adventures that the whole family will enjoy.  Outdoor activities include a polar bear dip, horse-drawn wagon rides, dogsled rides, mini-tube run, lumberjack shows, giant snow slide, ice maze, and more.  The Festival of Ice features 300 pound blocks of ice carved into spectacular, themed sculptures.  Indoor activities take place throughout the weekend including family drop-in at the MacLarenArtCentre, storytime and crafts at the Barrie Public Library, pancake breakfast at Central United Church, and Easter Seals Chili Fest at the Southshore Community Centre.  Other weekend activities include the February Blues Festival featuring great music in venues throughout Barrie and the Reel Stories Film Series presents thought-provoking films at the Imperial Cinema in downtown Barrie.  The community comes alive with winter fun and celebration.  Don't miss these fun activities and more throughout the weekend! To download the Winterfest brochure, click here. For a map of downtown Barrie, including Heritage Park and some of the Winterfest activity locations, click here. SATURDAY & SUNDAY Outdoor Fun at Heritage Park Kempenfelt ice maze Giant snow sculpture with slides carved right into the snow Ice block play area Dog sled rides - $2 per person Horse-drawn wagon rides Muskoka Wildlife Centre Simcoe County Museum Lumberjack show - Watch expert lumberjacks demonstrate their incredible skills - speed sawing, axe throwing, and chainsaw carving. Shows daily at 12:00pm, 1:30pm, and 3:00pm. Snow Valley's mini tube slide Helicopter rides - $45 per person Pony rides - $4 per person Scouts winter cookout Winter midway Kite display by the Toronto Kite Fliers Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Photo Op Bring a camera and take your picture with an offical torch used in the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay. Support Barrie's Grocery Assistance Program The shelves are empty!  When you come down to Winterfest, please bring a donation of non-perishable food or cash for Barrie's Grocery Assistance Program.  Your donation will go a long way in feeding Barrie families during this time of year. Mardi Gras @ Your Library! Barrie Public Library - 60 Worsley Street Warm up with some Mardi Gras fun to help celebrate Winterfest!  Get your creative juices flowing and take a break from the cold winter weather. Saturday - storytime at 10:30am, drop-in crafts from 11:30am-4:00pm Sunday - drop-in crafts from 12:00pm-4:00pm Please note - activities are for children of all ages and there is no registration required.  Children must be accompanied by an adult. MacLarenArtCentre - 37 Mulcaster Street Gallery hours - Saturday 10:00am-4:00pm, Sunday 12:00pm-4:00pm.  Explore exhibitions but wait… by Frances Thomas and Wild History by Karilee Fuglem. Saturday - 1:30pm-3:00pm - Join the MacLaren's Teen Advisory Council for a fun-filled snow painting activity at Heritage Park. Sunday - 1:30pm-3:00pm - Parents and children are invited to participate in a family drop-in activity where they can create a zipper charm. Check it out www.maclarenart.com! Easter Seals Chili Fest Southshore Centre - 205 Lakeshore Drive Saturday 11:00am-5:00pm, Sunday 12:00pm-4:00pm Warm-up with a variety of chili and vote for your favourite!  All proceeds to Easter Seals. Let's Go Skating Enjoy skating at one of Barrie's arenas for only $1 per family! East Bayfield Community Centre - 80 Livingstone Street East Saturday - 12:15-1:30pm, 1:45-3:00pm Allandale Recreation Centre - 190 Bayview Drive Saturday - 5:00-6:15pm, 6:30-7:45pm Sunday - 12:00-1:15pm, 1:30-2:45pm Eastview Arena - 453 Grove Street East Sunday - 2:15-3:30pm Holly Community Centre - 171 Mapleton Avenue Sunday - 2:15-3:30pm, 3:45-5:00pm FRIDAY ONLY Winterfest Jazz - 4:00-7:00pm The Queens Hotel - 95 Dunlop Street East Come in out of the cold to enjoy the Figleaf Jazz Quartet for your listening pleasure.  For more information, call (705) 726-9926 or visit www.figleafjazz.com. SATURDAY ONLY Celebrate Winter Food - 8:00am-12:00pm Barrie Farmers' Market - Barrie City Hall Rotunda, 70 Collier Street Stop by the Barrie Farmers' Market to celebrate winter food!  Warm-up with a complimentary cup of hot mulled apple cider and enter the draw for a selection of treats from the many vendors.  Learn the secrets to cooking wonderful winter comfort food at 10:00am with a cooking demonstration by Chris Gardiner, Oscar's Restaurant.  And don't forget, face painting with Butterscotch the Clown! Pancake Breakfast and Bake Sale - 8:30am-12:30pm Central United Church - 54 Ross Street Start your day with breakfast at Winterfest - $6 for adults, $2.50 for children under 11, and preschoolers are free.  Yummy! St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church - 12:00-2:30pm 47 Owen Street, corner of Owen & Worsley Streets and across from the Library Warm-up at the 6th annual HOT, HOT, HOT event!  HOTdogs and HOT chocolate will be for sale.  HOT activities include free face painting, crafts, and a clown. SUNDAY ONLY Winterfest 5km Chilly Kelly Community Run Registration in City Hall Rotunda (70 Collier Street) - 8:30-9:30am Race starts at Heritage Park - 10:00am Awards ceremony in City Hall Rotunda (70 Collier Street) to follow On your marks, get set, GO!  The South Simcoe Dufferin Track & Field Club presents the first round-the-bay run to take place at Winterfest.  Age categories from 8 to 60+.  Registration is $15.00, $10.00 in advance.  Register online at www.play.barrie.ca, barcode # 58754.  For more information, email dave.small@sympatico.ca. Polar Bear Swim - 12:00pm Centennial Beach, near washroom building Are you brave enough to take a frosty dip in Kempenfelt Bay?  There's no pre-registration required and no fee to participate, just show up at Centennial Beach ready to take the plunge!  Spectators welcome - a sight not to be missed.  Presented by the City of Barrie Aquatics Staff and the Barrie Fire Department. Winterfest Jazz - 2:00pm - 5:00pm The ANAF Club - 7 George Street, off Anne Street The ANAF presents the Figleaf Jazz Band in the Canteen for your listening pleasure, $5 admission.  Bring your dancing shoes!  For more information, call (705) 726-9926 or visit www.figleafjazz.com. ALL WEEKEND Festival of Ice Watch as Heritage Park is transformed into an icy wonderland right before your eyes.  This year's theme celebrates the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games as our athletes go for the gold!  Spectacular three hundred pound blocks of ice are carved into beautiful ice sculptures highlighting popular winter sports of the Olympics.  Stop by Heritage Park on Friday, February 5th and Saturday, February 6th to watch as the professional carvers create their artistic masterpieces.  The ice sculptures are on display all weekend. February Blues Shake off cabin fever by celebrating the 13th edition of the Barrie-Innisfil-Orillia 'inbluenza' clinic from February 4th to 7th.  Visit the many great restaurants, bars, bistros, libraries and concert venues in Barrie and area to enjoy Blues and Jazz music performed by many of Canada's most brilliant artists.  For more information, visit www.barriejazzbluesfest.com. Reel Stories Film Series - Imperial Cinemas, 55 Dunlop Street West In its 6th year, Reel Stories returns for a thought-provoking weekend festival of documentary and feature films from Canada and around the world including: Friday, 7:00pm - The Young Victoria (United Kingdom) Saturday, 1:00pm - Prom Night in Mississippi (Canada) Saturday, 4:00pm - Mary and Max (Australia) Saturday, 7:00pm - Coco Avant Chanel (France) Sunday, 12:00pm - Genius Within: The Inner Life of Glenn Gould (Canada) Sunday, 2:30pm - The 'R' Word (Canada) For more information, visit www.barriefilmfestival.ca.
	Get involved!  If your organization is interested in getting involved with Winterfest and has a new, exciting idea that could enhance the Winterfest experience please contact the Department of Culture at (705) 739-4299. Sponsorship Opportunities - In order to bring this great event to our community each year, the City of Barrie relies on the support of community-minded businesses.  Sponsors support Winterfest activities at little or no cost to participants, as well as developing new, exciting activities.  Sponsorship opportunities are available from $500 to $5000, providing great value for your advertising dollar through our Winterfest promotion campaign.  There is also a limited amount of outdoor space available at Winterfest to promote your business.  If your business is interested in becoming a Winterfest partner, please contact Arin Donnelly, Community Events Programmer at (705) 739-4220 ext. 4506 or adonnelly@barrie.ca.

Centennial Park Saturday, June 5, 2010
	It’s that time once again!  Celebrate Barrie, our 11th annual community festival, is only a few months away.  Mark your calendars for Saturday, June 5th.  This fun, FREE event features over 50 community groups, inflatables and rides, local entertainment on two stages, petting zoo, historical reenactments and so much more all set along the beautiful shore of Kempenfelt Bay.   CALLING ALL COMMUNITY GROUPS AND ENTERTAINERS!   Community Groups The City of Barrie is now accepting applications from community groups and not-for-profit organizations that are interested in connecting with the community.  To be eligible to participate, groups must provide a free, unique hands-on activity.  in exchange, booth space (including tent, table, and chairs) is provided.  There is no fundraising or selling at the event - it is a 'friend-raising' opportunity.  If interested, please submit a letter of interest, including information about your organization, full contact information, and a unique idea for a hands-on activity.   Entertainers The Celebrate Barrie Entertainment Committee is now accepting applications from local entertainers who are interested in showcasing their talent to the community.  Two stages are programmed with local talent - bands, choirs, dance troups, theatre groups, and individucal performers from Barrie and area - that are from a variety of cultural backgrounds and musical styles.  If interested, submit a letter of interest and/or promotion package, including detailed information on your act and full contact information.  Please include a CD or DVD for the Entertainment Committee to review.   Young Musicians Celebrate Barrie will feature a special concert presented by the Barrie Young Peoples' Centres on Friday, June 4th to showcase the talented young musicians in our community.  If you're 11-19 and interested in performing - either as a band or individually - please submit your information, including full contact information and a CD or DVD.   All applications will be accepted at City Hall until Friday, March 19th at 4:30pm. Submit to: City of Barrie – Department of Culture P.O. Box 400 70 Collier Street, 3rd Floor Barrie, Ontario   L4M 4T5 Phone (705) 739-4299 Email adonnelly@barrie.ca
	Sponsorship Opportunities - In order to bring this great event to our community each year, the City of Barrie relies on the support of community-minded businesses.  Sponsorship ensures that Celebrate Barrie activities can be provided at absolutely no cost to the participants, as well as assist in bringing new and exciting activities to the event.  Partnership opportunities are available from $500 to $5000, providing great value for your advertising dollar through our Celebrate Barrie promotion campaign.  There is also a limited amount of outdoor space available at Celebrate Barrie to promote your business.  If your business is interested in becoming a Celebrate Barrie partner, please contact Arin Donnelly, Community Events Programmer at (705) 739-4220 ext. 4506 or adonnelly@barrie.ca.