Winterfest 2014
The City of Barrie presents Winterfest & Festival of Ice the first weekend in February. Grab your mittens and celebrate winter with us on February 1st & 2nd, 2014!
Once again, Barrie Winterfest has been named one of the Top 100 Festivals in Ontario by Festivals and Events Ontario! Winterfest is a great way to celebrate the winter season with adventures the whole family will enjoy - join us.
Stay tuned! As planning gets under way later in 2013, all of the details will be posted.
Partnership Opportunities available for Winterfest 2014
As an event partner, you can build brand recognition through our promotion campaign (including radio and print advertising, website, and printed materials) and engage an audience of 25,000 through on-site recognition and brand activation. Our partners are valued and contribute directly towards providing a variety of exciting activities at absolutely no cost to participants. Opportunities are available starting at $1000, including a limited number of on-site brand activation spaces. Perhaps you're a local organization and you have an idea for a new activity or would like to get involved. Please let us know! For more information about how you can celebrate winter in Barrie, please contact the Department of Culture at (705) 739-4299 or culture@barrie.ca.
Winterfest 2013
On February 2nd & 3rd, the City of Barrie came alive in celebration of the winter season at Barrie Winterfest 2013. Winterfest was a tremendous success and featured a wonderful variety of indoor and outdoor adventures for all to enjoy, including spectacular ice sculptures, polar bear swim, horse-drawn wagon rides, lumberjack shows, ice maze, pancake breakfast, storytime and crafts, live entertainment, film, food, and more.
Many thanks to our generous event sponsors, local media partners, community partners, volunteers, and staff. With your support, Winterfest is possible! And a special thank you to all those who attended Winterfest. We look forward to celebrating the season with you again in 2014!
February 2 & 3, 2013
Heritage Park & Memorial Square
Outdoor Fun
Saturday & Sunday - 10:00am to 5:00pm
Ice maze - Sponsored by Allstate Insurance Company Barrie
Horse-drawn wagon rides - Sponsored by Near North Customs Brokers
Snow sculpture & slides (weather permitting)
Dog sled rides ($2 per person, weather permitting) - Sponsored by Days Inn Barrie
Simcoe County Museum
Snow Valley's mini tube slide
Mini golf - Sponsored by PowerStream
BodyZorbs (Saturday only, 11:00am to 5:00pm)
Helicopter rides - $50 per person
Scouts winter cookout ($)
Winter midway ($)
Variety of food vendors ($)
NEW! BeaverTail eating contest (first come, first served)
Festival of Ice
Saturday 10:00am to 9:00pm, Sunday 10:00am to 5:00pm
Marvel at artistic masterpieces carved out of three hundred pound blocks of ice by professional carvers. This year's icy wonderland theme is Classic Games featuring childhood favourites larger than life. Check out the cool creations spectacularly lit at night at a special viewing on Saturday evening. The Festival of Ice is sponsored by Downtown Barrie.
Lumberjack Show
Saturday & Sunday - 12:00pm, 1:30pm, and 3:00pm
Watch expert lumberjacks demonstrate their incredible skills - speed sawing, axe throwing, and chainsaw carving. Sponsored by Napoleon Fireplaces & Grills.
The Grey Cup
Saturday - 10:00am to 2:00pm
Celebrate the Toronto Argonauts winning the 100th Grey Cup as the Cup makes a stop at Barrie Winterfest! Have your picture taken with the Cup and meet an Argos Cheerleader. (Weather permitting)
Other Locations - Saturday & Sunday
Grey and Simcoe Foresters Regimental Museum
36 Mulcaster Street (across from the MacLaren)
Saturday 10:00am to 4:00pm, Sunday 12:00pm to 3:00pm
Bring the whole family, warm-up with a hot chocolate, and check out the exhibits in Barrie's only downtown museum. Listen to Sgt. Murray and Pvt. Smith, dressed in full 1880s period uniforms, as they relate the history of Barrie's own Militiamen and provide insight into Barrie's military heritage.
Classic Fun for Kids @ Your Library!
Barrie Public Library, Angus Ross Room - 60 Worsley Street
Celebrate Winterfest and warm up with some fun at Barrie's Public Library!
Saturday - storytime at 10:30am, drop-in crafts and classic games from 11:30am to 4:00pm
Sunday - drop-in crafts and classic games from 12:00pm to 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 and Sunday, 10:00am to 4:00pm
Suggested admission $5. Explore contemporary art with your family! Take a self-guided tour of the gallery and our winter exhibitions, warm-up by the fire and enjoy a hot chocolate from our Radio Cafe.
Sunday - 1:30pm to 3:00pm - Parents and children are invited to join in Winterfest the MacLaren way, with a special Family Sunday workshop. Families can create a unique art object celebrating all things winter! Admission is $5 per child or free for Family Membership holders.
Sunday - 2:30pm - Enjoy an exclusive Winterfest-themed performance by the Simcoe Contemporary Dancers in the Carnegie Room. Admission free. Check it out at www.maclarenart.com!
Let's Go Skating
Enjoy skating at one of Barrie's arenas for only $1 per person!
Allandale Recreation Centre - 190 Bayview Drive
Saturday - 5:30 to 7:20pm, 7:30 to 8:50pm (for teens!)
Sunday - 11:00am to 12:50pm
Eastview Arena - 453 Grove Street East
Sunday - 2:30 to 4:20pm
Holly Community Centre - 171 Mapleton Avenue
Sunday - 5:30 to 7:20pm, 8:30 to 10:20pm
Other Locations - Saturday Only
Pancake Breakfast and Bake Sale - Saturday, 8:30am to 12:30pm
Central United Church - 54 Ross Street
Start your day with the 21st annual pancake breakfast at Winterfest - $7 for adults, $3 for children under 11, and preschoolers are free. Yummy!
Barrie Farmers' Market - Saturday, 8:00am to 12:00pm
City Hall Rotunda - 70 Collier Street
Get an early start to Winterfest with a great variety of produce, artistry, and baking at Barrie's Farmers' Market! For more information, visit www.barriefarmermarket.com.
St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church - Saturday, 11:30am to 2:30pm
47 Owen Street - Corner of Owen and Worsley Streets, across from the Library
Warm-up at the 9th annual HOT, HOT, HOT event! HOTdogs, HOT chocolate, and HOT soup for sale. Family activities include free face painting, crafts, and cookie decorating.
NEW! Family Entertainment at the Mady - Saturday, 12:30pm to 4:00pm
Mady Centre for the Performing Arts - 1 Dunlop Street West
Warm up with live entertainment for the whole family at the Mady Centre for the Performing Arts, just a short walk from Heritage Park.
| Time |
Performer |
More Information |
| 12:30pm |
Pandora's Sox Presents Pandora's Box - The Puppet Show |
A fast-paced and imaginative take on an old tale with original live music, large colourful puppets, silly humour, a wacky array of characters, and audience participation. Join Prometheus, his brother Epi, and Pandora on this timeless adventure as they search for hope. For more information, visit www.pandoras-sox.com.
|
| 1:30pm |
Kasey Kohring |
A talented 12 year old who loves to perform classic and new rock including The Trews, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Green Day and more. For more information about Kasey, visit www.kaseykohring.ca. |
| 2:30pm |
Jake Differ |
An award-winning musician who makes music the whole family can enjoy! Jake's music touches on the many things that children love and grown-ups cherish including tales of adventure, home, friends, and animals - everything wonderful about life on this planet! Jake’s unforgettable live performance has become a favourite at festivals and events across Canada. For more information about Jake, visit www.musicbyjake.com.
|
| 3:25pm |
The Robert Davis Kids Music and Comedy Show |
Family audiences are sure to have a good time with the fun songs, kid-friendly jokes, and magical surprises sprinkled throughout this popular family music show. Robert Davis is an award-winning singer-songwriter who regularly performs at festivals, fairs, libraries and community events throughout the province. For more information about Robert, visit www.robertdavis.ca.
|
| Schedule subject to change. |
Other Locations - Sunday Only
Barrie Fire & Emergency Service - Sunday, 10:00am to 2:00pm
Centennial Beach, near washroom building
Check out Barrie Fire and Emergency Service fire trucks and ice rescue equipment on display starting at 10:00am. If you have questions about ice and fire safety, Fire Prevention Officers will be on hand to get you in the know. Keep your eyes open for Sparky the Fire Dog who will also make a special appearance! Following the Polar Bear Swim at noon, Barrie Fire and Emergency Service will perform an ice rescue demonstration.
Soup’s On! – Sunday, 11:00am to 2:00pm
City Hall Rotunda – 70 Collier Street
Mmmm…there’s nothing more satisfying at this time of year than a bowl of heart-warming soup. Stop by City Hall to enjoy a variety of soups from local restaurants to tempt your taste buds and vote for your favorites. Tickets are $5 and all proceeds go to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario. For more information, contact Christine at cdrury@hsf.on.ca or call (705) 737-1020.
Polar Bear Swim - Sunday, 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 - Sunday, 2:00pm to 5:00pm
A.N.A.F. Hall - 7 George Street
Warm up with the sweet sounds of the FigLeaf Jazz Band along with guest performers. Tickets are $5 at the door.
Huronia Symphony Children's Concert - Sunday, 3:30pm to 4:30pm
Collier Street United Church - 112 Collier Street
The Symphony takes the audience, young and old, on an entertaining narrated trip through the highlights of 250 years of orchestral music. Ask questions and visit the musicians and their instruments up close. Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for students, and $5 for children under 13. For more information, visit www.huroniasymphony.ca.
Weekend Events
February Blues
January 31 - February 3
Shake off cabin fever at the 16th annual February Blues Festival. Visit many great restaurants, bars, bistros, libraries and concert venues in Barrie and area to enjoy Blues and Jazz music performed by some of Canada's most brilliant artists. For more information, visit www.barriejazzbluesfest.com.
Reel Stories Film Series - Uptown Theatre, 55 Dunlop Street West
February 1 - 3
In its 9th year, Reel Stories returns for a thought-provoking weekend festival of award-winning documentaries from Canada and around the world including:
Friday, 7:00pm - Stories We Tell (Canada)
Saturday, 1:00pm - Legend of a Warrior (Canada)
Saturday, 4:00pm - The End of Time (Switzerland/Canada)
Saturday, 7:00pm - Searching for Sugar Man (United Kingdom)
Sunday, 1:00pm - Chasing Ice (USA)
Sunday, 4:00pm - The Imposter (United Kingdom)
Sunday, 7:00pm - Beauty is Embarrassing (USA)
Tickets are $9. For more information, visit www.barriefilmfestival.ca/reelstories.html
Easter Seals Chili Fest - Southshore Centre, 205 Lakeshore Drive
Saturday 11:00am to 5:00pm, Sunday 12:00pm to 4:00pm
Warm-up with a variety of chili and vote for your favourite! All proceeds to Easter Seals.
Barrie Winterfest 2013 was generously supported by
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