Hello Winter 2021
In lieu of traditional
Winterfest and Family Day activities, and following the advice of the
Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit, we got creative and showcased activities throughout February to help you enjoy the season.
Hello Winter 2021 featured new fun, engaging and safe programming—including some Winterfest favourites, re-imagined. New content was added throughout February for you and your immediate household to enjoy.
Community Snow Sculpture Challenge
Bundle up and head outside with members of your household to build your best snow sculpture. Get creative, prepare your design in advance or just see where the inspiration takes you, and use carving, lights, colours, and props to make it unique! Once you’ve completed your masterpiece, take a photo and
post it for the community to enjoy. Select photos were shared on City of Barrie
social media channels throughuot February!
Barrie Public Library (BPL)
Join the Library for some virtual fun, stories, education, and entertainment for all ages this February!
Featured BPL Events
View the full calendar | |
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 Storytime and Q&A with Speaking of Wildlife
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Enjoy a
Winterfest storytime with Speaking of Wildlife and a special furry guest. Join Krystal and Fenn the Fox to read
Winter Danceby Marion Dane Bauer followed by a wildlife Q&A.
This event is also featured under Speaking of Wilflife events further below.
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| BPL Black History 365 | |
Learn about Black history 365 days of the year! BPL has created a
virtual hub where you can access community voices and resources, stories about being Black in Canada, reading recommendations, National Film Board short film selections, and more. |
MacLaren Art Centre
The MacLaren Art Centre is excited to host a roster of virtual activities celebrating all things winter throughout the month of February. From virtual tours of current exhibitions to NFB short animations, indoor art-making, and outdoor family fun, there’s something for everyone!
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Short Films for Families | |
The MacLaren has partnered with the National Film Board of Canada to present a curated roster of winter-themed, family-friendly short animations and films to view anytime from home, including:
It’s Snow by Gayle Thomas (1974),
Snow Cat by Sheldon Cohen (1998), and
Stories from our Land: How to Build an Igloo by Allen Auksaq (2011). Visit
https://maclarenart.com/project/hello-winter/ to watch! |
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Video: MacLaren Snow Art | |
Learn how to make colourful snowy art at home! The MacLaren Art Centre’s Education Officer Christina Mancuso shows you how using materials you can find at home and your unlimited imagination:
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| Celebrating Black History Month | |
The MacLaren Art Centre offers a roster of virtual programs, films, events, and exhibitions celebrating
Black History Month with more to be added throughout the month and beyond. |
Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority
The
Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority is dedicated to the preservation of a healthy environment and working with the community to help protect the water, land, and our future. You'll enjoy learning about how to appreciate our natural environment with help from their nature educators and fun activities for all ages.
| Scavenger Hunt | |
Let's go on a scavenger hunt! Whether you're in your backyard or on a forest walk, use these guides to explore our natural world in a new way. You'll use your senses to observe nature and learn to identify evidence of wildlife in winter.
Level 1 - Use Your Senses
Level 2 - Animal Tracks |
| Nature Journal | |
Keeping a nature journal is a great way to help you connect with the natural world around you and can be used to track your observations when exploring the outdoors. The Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority has provided a
downloadable journal as a useful resource to get you started on this journey. |
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How to Become a Community Scientist | |
Maegan, AKA Turtle, from the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority shares how everyone can become a community scientist!
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NVCA Winter Wildlife | |
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Nature Tracks with the NVCA | |
This event was held virtually via Zoom; watch the
recording of Nature Tracks with the NVCA. Learn all about the ways we go about identifying animal skulls and footprints, nature journaling, and becoming a citizen scientist. This interactive session included a live Q&A with the engaging nature educators from the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority. |
Speaking of Wildlife
Speaking of Wildlife provides sanctuary to Ontario wildlife that cannot survive in the wild and they love to educate everyone at Winterfest about these beautiful species so we can better protect them in their natural habitat. This year, we're meeting some of their furry and feathered friends to learn all about their life in winter, and taking a behind-the-scenes tour of the Speaking of Wildlife facility.
Video Series: Wildlife in Winter
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Throughout the month, we will follow-up with some of the furry and feathered friends we met on
Canada Day to learn all about their life during the winter in a behind-the-scenes look with Speaking of Wildlife.
New videos will be added to the series throughout February! Subscribe to the City of Barrie's YouTube channel to get notified.
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Storytime and Q&A
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Enjoy a
Winterfest storytime with Speaking of Wildlife and a special furry guest. Join Krystal and Fenn the Fox to read Winter Danceby Marion Dane Bauer followed by a wildlife Q&A.
This event is also featured under BPL events above.
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TEAM T&J
Get ready to dance and sing along while
TEAM T&J share some of their favourite things about Barrie!
Maple Syrup Tour
Take a virtual trip to Lalonde’s Maple Syrup Farm where we’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at how to make maple syrup and some of our favourite Barrie Winterfest treat:
Storytime with Barrie's Town Crier
Join Barrie’s Town Crier as he tells the story of the Barrie Jail or Simcoe County Jail that sits on Mulcaster Street, overlooking the city – from its unique architecture and history to the stories of some of those who “visited” long before it closed in 2001:
Hula Hooping
Try out hula hooping! Learn the basics of hula hooping followed by an incredible performance with
Kiki Totally Outrageous, a talented Canadian hula hoop artist.
Snow Sculpting with Siggi Buhler
Meet master woodcarver Siggi Buhler as he shares some of his experience snow carving at Barrie Winterfest in the past, and see his process on a smaller scale right from his own backyard studio.
Owl Prowl
Join City of Barrie Parks staff on an Owl Prowl. They’ll share their tips for how you can listen for and identify owls on your outdoor adventures. Use the
Owl Prowl Fact Sheet to learn about what makes owls such amazing creatures and, while you’re at it,
meet Nile the Barred Owl with Speaking of Wildlife.
Winter Yoga
Dress the kids warmly and head outside for winter yoga with your guide, Victoria. You’ll learn poses inspired by the natural world in winter. A great way to warm up for some winter fun!
Hello Winter 2021 is Generously Supported By
